Self-Based Notions of Consciousness

I survey 'self-based' notions of consciousness (that urge a fundamental role for self-reference or self-awareness) and contrast such theories with various alternatives, giving special attention to the so-called hard problem. Why should a particular process (in a particular cognitive architecture) be accompanied by a feel, a what-it's-like to be that process? I will argue that self-based theories at least hold out a hope and a direction here, unlike most non-self-based theories. Further, self-based theories and their relatives come from divers parts of cognitive science, an intriguing further hint of their significance. Among the self-based ideas to be considered are those of Elman, Grice, Humphrey, Lloyd, Newton, Peacocke, Perry, and Searle.