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By the 19th and 20th centuries, advancements in neuroscience began to shift the perception that consciousness is inherently linked to brain activity. Researchers could now observe electrical signals, study brain anatomy, and correlate specific regions of the brain with emotions, memories, and sensations. This perspective—often referred to as materialism—suggests that consciousness emerges solely from brain activity ceasing when brain function ceases.
Yet, materialism faces challenging questions: if consciousness is purely physical, why do humankind's experiences of emotions, dreams, or altered states defy simple explanation? These queries prompted further investigation in psychology, cognitive science, and eventually, quantum physics.