Explore the "hard problem" of consciousness: why and how do physical processes in the brain give rise to subjective experiences? Discuss the main theories addressing this problem.

The “hard problem” of consciousness refers to the challenge of explaining why and how subjective experiences, or qualia, arise from physical processes in the brain. Theories addressing this include physicalism, which posits that mental states are physical states; dualism, which argues that mental and physical states are distinct; and panpsychism, which suggests consciousness is a fundamental and ubiquitous property of physical matter. Each theory attempts to bridge the gap between subjective experience and physical brain processes but faces substantial philosophical and empirical challenges.