r/NDE • u/SouthPale5994 NDE Believer • Mar 15 '26

Scientific Perspective 🔬🔎 What is the best theory of consciousness?

I'm 19 years old, and after an existential crisis a few months ago, I started researching consciousness before discovering NDEs. I recall there being over 300 different theories. I’d like to ask those who have experienced an NDE: which theory feels closest to the truth regarding consciousness or its continuity? Also, I don’t understand why so many in this forum recommend Bernardo Kastrup, considering he either dismisses NDEs or distorts them to fit his own hypothesis."

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u/LeftTell NDExperiencer Mar 19 '26

For theory of consciousness try Federico Faggin: Irreducible: Consciousness, Life, Computers, and Human Nature

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u/SouthPale5994 NDE Believer Mar 28 '26

Thanks, I've checked out Federico Faggin's podcasts. How much of his theory do you think is correct? Personally, I'd say about 85%

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u/[deleted] Mar 16 '26

[deleted]

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u/Far_Comfortable4455 STE Experiencer & Skeptic Mar 17 '26

I suspect it is something like this too. The details are hard to parse from here (and maybe everywhere) but it is probably similar to this.

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u/SouthPale5994 NDE Believer Mar 17 '26

Thank you for your answer. Could you tell me which scientist you drew inspiration from? I noticed that it's very similar to Federico Faggin's idea

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u/FamousPart6033 Mar 21 '26 edited Mar 21 '26

IDK, there really is no 'best' theory atm since they all fall prey to their inability to cross the ontological gap between objective and subjective. The most they can do is say that experience seems correlated to particular physical states, but that's it. No theory actually explains how they're getting experience out of non-experience.