Modes of consciousness

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Abstract

In this chapter, modes of consciousness are distinguished from states of consciousness. A mode of consciousness is a global way of being conscious, such as waking, dreaming, seizures, and the minimally conscious state. States of consciousness are content specific, such as hearing music or feeling pain. Both modes and states of consciousness contrast with “levels of consciousness” in neurology. This original framework helps readers understand how the consciousness after brain damage is similar in some ways and different in other ways from normal consciousness.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationFinding Consciousness
Subtitle of host publicationThe Neuroscience, Ethics, and Law of Severe Brain Damage
EditorsWalter Sinnott-Armstrong
Place of PublicationNew York NY USA
PublisherOxford University Press
Pages57-80
Number of pages23
Edition1
ISBN (Print)9780190280307
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2016

Publication series

NameOxford Series in Neuroscience, Law, and Philosophy
PublisherOxford University Press

Keywords

  • consciousness
  • vegetative state
  • minimally conscious state
  • death
  • disability
  • pain
  • brain damage
  • neuroscience
  • fMRI
  • ethics

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