Integrative Approaches to Consciousness: Cross-Theoretical Synthesis and Methodological Pluralism for Mind–Body and Artificial Intelligence Inquiry

Consciousness studies represent a dynamic field straddling philosophy of mind, neuroscience, psychology, and computational modeling. Central debates continue to revolve around the notorious explanatory gap—how subjective, first-person experiences emerge from, or coexist with, objective third-person brain processes. Traditional approaches have often stayed fragmented, with theories and methodologies confined within specific paradigms such as physicalism, dualism, or panpsychism, limiting opportunities for genuine theoretical integration. Although there is a growing acknowledgment of the need for methodological pluralism, including the structured combination of first-person phenomenological accounts with the rigor of third-person empirical research, a fully unified framework remains elusive. Recent studies point to the value of such interdisciplinary synthesis, but sustained cross-theoretical dialogue and methodological innovation are still in their early stages. This makes the integration of perspectives across disciplines an urgent need—especially as advances in artificial intelligence prompt new questions about the nature and boundaries of conscious experience.This Research Topic aims to catalyze integrative discourse by critically examining and synthesizing diverse theories and research methodologies in consciousness studies. The objective is to bridge conceptual divides between philosophical, empirical, and computational domains by encouraging works that cross-examine and amalgamate frameworks, particularly those centered on the explanatory gap, the mind–body problem, and phenomenal consciousness. By championing methodological pluralism—especially the bilateral integration of first-person and third-person approaches—this initiative also seeks to inform ongoing debates about whether artificial intelligence might ever simulate or achieve human-like conscious experience.The scope of this Research Topic encompasses broad interdisciplinary synthesis, but prioritizes critical, theory-driven, and methodological contributions aimed at advancing mutual understanding. To gather further insights into the complexities and limitations of consciousness research and its intersection with AI, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:· Methodological innovations combining first-person and third-person approaches· Studies targeting the explanatory gap and bridging subjective and objective accounts correlates of consciousness or emotions.· Research on mind–body interactions employing innovative or integrative methods· Theoretical and empirical analysis of machine consciousness and AI· Comparative work on reductionist and non-reductionist paradigms· Proposals for novel interdisciplinary frameworks for understanding conscious experience (including emotional ones)Appendix: We invite original research articles, comprehensive reviews, theoretical perspectives, conceptual analyses, and methodological studies aligning with these themes. Topic editors: Jicheng Chen, Sergio Frumento Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/79254/integrative-approaches-to-consciousness-cross-theoretical-synthesis-and-methodological-pluralism-for-mind-body-and-artificial-intelligence-inquiry