Abstract

It is generally assumed that the brain causes conscious experience. A broad view of this kind can be termed neuronal reductionism. It is universally regarded that neuronal reductionism is founded on a solid empirical basis. However, it is possible to show that none of the arguments usually advanced to support its contentions are conclusive. Moreover, there are a number of serious empirical as well conceptual difficulties that this view has to face, and to which it has not responded in a satisfactory way so far. Taking these challenges in their entirety it seems justified to claim that neuronal reductionism is a failed theory and that the search for an answer to the question about the origin of consciousness has to take a novel turn.