This study introduces a novel methodology for consciousness science. Consciousness as we understand it pretheoretically is inherently subjective, yet the data available to science are irreducibly intersubjective. This poses a unique challenge for attempts to investigate consciousness empirically. We meet this challenge by combining two insights. First, we emphasize the role that computational models play in integrating results relevant to consciousness from across the cognitive sciences. This move echoes Alan Newell’s call that the language and concepts of computer science serve as a lingua franca for integrative cognitive science. Second, our central contribution is a new method for validating computational models that treats them as providing negative data on consciousness: data about what consciousness is not. This method is designed to support a quantitative science of consciousness while avoiding metaphysical commitments. We discuss how this methodology applies to current and future research and address questions that others have raised.

中文翻译：

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否定科学：计算建模如何解释意识

这项研究介绍了一种新的意识科学方法。我们在理论上理解的意识本质上是主观的，但科学可用的数据是不可约的主体间性。这对从经验上研究意识的尝试提出了独特的挑战。我们通过结合两种见解来应对这一挑战。首先，我们强调计算模型在整合认知科学中与意识相关的结果方面所起的作用。这一举动呼应了 Alan Newell 的呼吁，即计算机科学的语言和概念可以作为综合认知科学的通用语言。其次，我们的核心贡献是一种验证计算模型的新方法，将它们视为提供关于意识的负面数据：关于意识不是什么的数据。这种方法旨在支持意识的定量科学，同时避免形而上学的承诺。我们讨论了这种方法如何应用于当前和未来的研究，并解决其他人提出的问题。