The hypthalamo-tectoperiaqueductal system: Unconscious underpinnings of conscious behaviour

The insight that, in terms of behaviour control, A the meso-diencephalic system is superordinate to the cortex should have profound implications for behavioural sciences. Nevertheless, the thalamocortical system could still be deemed an "organ of consciousness" if we came to accept that consciousness is not central to purposeful behaviour, in accordance with instinct theory. Philosophically, Merker's concepts of basic consciousness and ego-centre warrant critical discussion.