What To Know
Develop Expertise In
Psychology, Neuroscience, Cognitive Science, AI
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English
with downloadable transcripts & PDFs of assigned reading
23
Lessons
6
Videos
Intermediate
Skill Level
4.5 hrs
to complete
Flexible
Learn at your pace
Learn one of the leading scientific theories on Human Cognitive Architecture, the Cortex & Consciousness — from the scientist who built it.
About This Course
In 1983, I proposed that the brain has a kind of global workspace — a system for broadcasting conscious information widely across billions of specialized neurons.
Forty years later, GWT has become the most rigorously tested theory of consciousness in neuroscience.
This course is the definitive account of where that idea came from, and what four decades of evidence are showing.
(Figure credit: Deco et al, 2021)
After completing this course you will be able to
- Understand and discuss psychological and brain theories about consciousness.
- Demonstrate some of the brain regions associated with conscious, voluntary and unconscious events in the brain.
- Distinguish GWT's actual claims from the popular misrepresentations that distort the public conversation about consciousness.
- Apply some of the brain methods used to study conscious and unconscious functions.
- Explain how both the inner mental life of human beings and the outside perspective are vital for the whole story.
- Distinguish the difference between computerized simulations of the mind and brain, and the biological basis of consciousness.
Who is the course for?
This course is for you if you are interested in, or teach, or study any of the following subjects:
Cognitive or Clinical Psychology, Cognitive Neuroscience, Contemplative Sciences, the Information Sciences, Neuroscience and Education, Health Education, or Philosophy.
And anyone working in AI who wants to understand the biological basis of consciousness before assuming machine minds.
Learning Path
In this cognitive neuroscience course, you will be introduced to many fundamental brain regions and their functions.
Along with the historical origins and current evidence supporting GWT, you will learn about
- basic neurobiology,
- sensory pathways,
- connectivity and neural signaling,
- and the conscious and unconscious workings of the mind and brain.
The course includes media-rich lectures & discussion videos, assigned reading, enrichment activities, and quizzes to help you expand your knowledge of the scientific study of mind and brain. By the end of this course, you will have an advanced understanding of conscious cognition and its many roles in the brain.
6 Videos + 23 Lessons + Quizzes + Activities + PDF Downloads
Modern science started in the Renaissance, when pioneers like Galileo founded the science of physics. Defining consciousness scientifically is similar to Galileo’s efforts to define gravity and heat. (Science fans should keep in mind that physics is still working on understanding gravity.)
In Chapter 1, we examine the question: How do we build on the basic observations about consciousness?
Video 19 Min + 22 Min reads to complete + Quiz
Global Workspace Theory (GWT) started in the 1980s as a purely psychological theory of conscious cognition, and has become a leading approach in scientific studies of consciousness (Mashour et al., 2020).
We use GWT to explore the numerous functions of consciousness in every day life,
in sensory perception and reasoning, and in creative problem solving. Careful empirical science always begins with observational definitions that point to the questions of interest.
Two decades of brain discoveries have helped to fill in our previous understanding that was only based on psychological evidence. (Figure Credit: Dehaene & Changeux, 2011).
In Chapter 2, The Conscious Brain: Global Workspace Theory, we explore the origins of GWT.
Video 10 Min+ 24 Min reads to complete + Quiz
Why does a theater provide a useful metaphor for thinking about consciousness and the brain?
Conscious awareness is like a bright spotlight in a dark theater, while the darkened parts of the theater include many unconscious processes. Scientific theories often begin with thought-provoking analogies that suggest new ideas and experiments.
Therefore, in Chapter 3, we examine The Theater Metaphor: the Stage is Very Limited but the Audience is Unlimited
Video 23 Min+ 38 Min reads to complete + Quiz
Video 25 Min + 44 Min reads to complete + Quiz
Many people misunderstand Global Workspace Theory (GWT) to predict a single anatomical center in the brain for the global workspace of consciousness. However, visual consciousness does not emerge in the brain in the same place as auditory consciousness. The different kinds of consciousness, therefore, require different neural bases.
The global workspace of consciousness is proposed to be dynamic and adaptable. We examine this point in detail in Chapter 5.
A global workspace integrates multiple sources of information into a single, unified gestalt, and then spreads that summarized information to the rest of the brain.
Video 10 Min + 28 Min read to complete + Quiz
When scientists returned to the conscious brain, medical applications started to appear quickly. After almost a century of neglect we are seeing a significant scientific renaissance. Global Workspace Theory (GWT) continues to help clarify a wave of new evidence and theory.
Conscious cognition is not some vague side effect of the physical brain, as many skeptics have claimed. Rather, the conscious brain is essential for Darwinian fitness.
Here we explore groundbreaking examples in medical science, including anesthesia awareness, disorders of consciousness, and clinical depression.
18 Min reads to complete + Milestone!
Trusted by academics
“Bernard Baars is the William James of consciousness studies in the 21st century.
Taking into account recent developments of computer and cognitive sciences, neuroscience, psychology, and linguistics ⎯ the empirical basis of Baars' work is the best one can get.”
“On Consciousness: Science and Subjectivity highlights Baars’ strongly scientific approach combined with his brilliant creativity as he forges new ways of thinking about ancient questions ⎯ a stunning achievement!.”
“Bernie Baars is the leading thinker behind the Global Workspace theory of consciousness that has been recently championed by top neuroscientists, such as Stanislas Dehaene.”
“Bernard Baars is both one of the pioneers of the cognitive study of consciousness and currently one of its most important contributors.”
Expertise & Foundation for this Course
Bernard Baars, PhD
Psychobiologist, FAU
Alea Skwara, PhD
Neuroscientist, UC Davis
Ilian Daskalov
Cognitive Science & AI Systems Specialist
"On Consciousness"
Course Foundation
Advance Your Knowledge
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