Thus, becoming the first to attempt a systematic approach to the study of consciousness. Descartes believed that the source of our consciousness and all it entails to have a conscious experience was due to the involvement of the pineal gland. In his attempts to explain the importance of this he suggested that perception came from hollow tubes of thin nerve fibres which would stretch into valves in the ventricles connecting them to sensory organs. And a stimulation of the organs would set them in motion creating perception. He also believed that these hallowed tubes were filled with animal spirits (Lokhorst and Kaitaro, 200).
Although hes theories has been rejected today the distinction between physical properties and mental processes made by Descartes is still important. This due to the fact that the main aim in neuroscientific research today is to understand the relation between physical properties and mental processes and how it results in conscious experience (Brogaard
and Gatzia, 206). Few accept dualism as a solid theory of consciousness today, and after Descartes numerous theories has risen to attempt to explain the concept of consciousness, however, the majority is not accepted as valid theories today. Today, when studying the neural correlates of consciousness (NCC) it is very much based on the idea put forward by Julien Offray de la Mettrie (705-75); that the concept of consciousness itself is far more complex than the result of simple involuntary and instinctive processes, and that the mind somehow emerges from the physical properties of the brain (Schneider and Velmans, 207, p. 3). A conscious experience is our awareness of ourselves, what we do, how and when we do it, whether you are having a cup of coffee, watching the sunrise, smelling the flowers in your garden or dreaming, you are having a conscious experience. Defining consciousness itself is difficult as it is an ambiguous term and depends on the approach we choose to take.