Why Mathematics?
Science rests on math
If you cannot count, compute, or calculate the predictions of a theory, you cannot test or falsify this theory using quantitative measurements.
The ultimate goal of a neuroscience of consciousness thus must be to mathematically describe all relevant laws and mechanisms.
For the time being, there is only one peer-reviewed neuroscientific theory of consciousness that provides a complete mathematically rigorous formalism to translate between neural activity and conscious content.
Our goal is to widely disseminate knowledge and understanding of these equations. We believe that a broader appreciation of this theory will stimulate research, exploration and improvements of mathematical solutions for the neuroscience
of consciousness.
Why Neuroscience?
Your brain has what it takes to be conscious
Of all things, you have highest certainty that your own consciousness exists.
The more other beings look and behave like you, the more likely it is that they are conscious just like you.
Studying human and other mammalian brains thus seems to be the best suited approach for a scientific understanding of consciousness.
Neuroscience is entering a new era where massive amounts of detailed data on brain activity are becoming accessible to anyone. Our aim is to leverage this quantum leap for the advancement of consciousness research.
We provide free resources explaining how to access both relevant datasets and computational implementations of the leading mathematical theory of consciousness.
Why consciousness?
You do not just exist. You experience what it is like to exist
Consciousness means different things to different people. When it comes to the mathematical neuroscience of consciousness, consciousness stands for the act of experiencing what it is like to be in a certain state.
Consciousness thus is independent of thought, action, cognition, attention, memory, intelligence and other mental phenomena.
The question is how to explain the existence and properties of conscious experience based on neuronal activity.
The best science can do is to provide mathematical descriptions of observable phenomena – which includes consciousness.
We aim to provide first hand opportunities to explore the increasingly promising mathematical solutions to this seemingly intractable problem.