Is global workspace a cartesian theater? How the neuro-astroglial interaction model solves conceptual issues

The Global Workspace Theory (GWT) proposed by Bernard Baars (1988) along with Daniel Dennett’s (1991) Multiple Drafts Model (MDM) of consciousness are renowned cognitive theories of consciousness bearing similarities and differences. Although Dennett displays sympathy for GWT, his own MDM does not seem to be fully compatible with it. This work discusses this compatibility, by asking if GWT suffers from Daniel Dennett’s criticism of what he calls a “Cartesian Theater”. We identified in Dennett 10 requirements for avoiding the Cartesian Theater. We believe that some of these requirements are violated by GWT, but not all, hence there is partial incompatibility with MDM, and it is nonsense to answer if GWT is or is not a Cartesian Theater. However, by asking such question we conclude that the issues around this discussion involve fuzzy claims about degrees of consciousness and we show how the Neuro-Astroglial Interaction Model (NAIM) is fit for solving such conceptual issues.

Analog Modeling of Human Cognitive Functions with Tripartite Synapses

Searching for an understanding of how the brain supports conscious processes, cognitive scientists have proposed two main classes of theory: Global Workspace and Information Integration theories. These theories seem to be complementary, but both still lack grounding in terms of brain mechanisms responsible for the production of coherent and unitary conscious states. Here we propose following James Robertson's "Astrocentric Hypothesis" - that conscious processing is based on analog computing in astrocytes. The "hardware" for these computations is calcium waves mediated by adenosine triphosphate signaling. Besides presenting our version of this hypothesis, we also review recent findings on astrocyte morphology that lend support to their functioning as Local Hubs (composed of protoplasmic astrocytes) that integrate synaptic activity, and as a Master Hub (composed, in the human brain, by a combination of interlaminar, fibrous, polarized and varicose projection astrocytes) that integrates whole-brain activity.

Análise teórica de uma nova técnica de processamento de sinais interferométricos baseada na modulação triangular da fase óptica

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Um contraste entre as teorias cognitivas da consciência de Baars e Dennett: o espaço de trabalho global seria um teatro cartesiano?

Pós-graduação em Filosofia - FFC

O papel do intérprete de libras no ensino fundamental

The Brazilian sign language is a visual-spatial language, manifested through the hands, facial expressions and body, being considered a natural language used by the deaf community in Brazil. Thus, in a school context the knowledge of LIBRAS is fundamental to the interpreter and the deaf student, so, the role of the interpreter in the classroom is to mediate the relationship between teachers and students. The objective of this study is to investigate the importance of the interpreter in the educational process of the deaf child and try to map the possible difficulties found by him in his workspace, under his perspective in the classroom. This is a qualitative study, which had the data collection instrument as an open interview with questionnaire, dealing on issues concerning to the role and practice of the interpreter of Libras in the classroom to support the deaf student in school age. Therefore, participated in the study two interpreters of Libras who works in elementary school classrooms in the city of Jaú. The results shown that the interpreter's role is extremely important for the education of children with hearing impairment, but it's not recognized and many times not accepted by teachers and educational institutions, when its real function is respected