Specific mechanisms linking network information processing to the generation of qualia.

Many theories link consciousness to neural activity, but few explain how that activity causes experience. This article examines information changes as input patterns are processed in individual networks. It argues that when networks identify spatially distributed input patterns and feed representations of that identity back to themselves, they identify not what the input is but how it seems to them. This inner portrayal has content that presents itself to the receiver, potentially underlying qualia. Top-down modulation could select which qualia are established at any moment.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Abstract There have been many very promising theories published concerning the generation of consciousness. These theories mostly link the emergence of consciousness to neural activity, but very few attempt to show how that neural activity specifically causes experience to occur. This article explores this problem at the level of individual networks by examining the information changes that occur as input patterns are processed. It looks at how networks can identify spatially distributed input patterns, and generate representations of that identity. It argues that if those representations are directly fed back then such networks will be identifying their own depictions of the original identity. It goes on to argue that in this state the identity acquired is not what the input is to the network but how the input seems to it. There would be content to that inner portrayal that must present itself in some way to the receiver, and this could underlie the emergence of qualia. The article goes on to argue how top-down modulation could select which qualia are established at any moment.