Informational non-reductionist theory of consciousness that providing maximum accuracy of reality prediction
arXiv Preprint Archive December 10, 2023 via arXiv
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractThe paper develops a non-reductionist information theory of consciousness based on D.I. Dubrovsky's informational approach to the mind-brain problem. It treats reality through the lens of information about observed phenomena, where subjective experiences are themselves information about brain processes. The central principle is that the brain discovers all possible causal relations in the external world and makes all possible inferences from them. The resulting theory is shown to rest on information laws of the external world's structure, explain brain functional systems and cellular ensembles, maximize prediction accuracy and anticipation of reality, resolve contradictions, and serve as an information theory of the brain's reflection of reality.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Philosophy of mind |
| Keywords | Neuroscience Artificial intelligence cs.ai Predictive processing Neural computation q-bio.nc |
| Key finding | An information theory of consciousness built on the principle that the brain discovers all possible causal relations and makes all possible inferences explains brain functional systems, maximizes predictive accuracy, and resolves contradictions. |
Abstract
The paper considers a non-reductionist theory of consciousness, which is not reducible to theories of reality and to physiological or psychological theories. Following D.I.Dubrovsky's "informational approach" to the "Mind-Brain Problem", we consider the reality through the prism of information about observed phenomena, which, in turn, is perceived by subjective reality through sensations, perceptions, feelings, etc., which, in turn, are information about the corresponding brain processes. Within this framework the following principle of the Information Theory of Consciousness (ITS) development is put forward: the brain discovers all possible causal relations in the external world and makes all possible inferences by them. The paper shows that ITS built on this principle: (1) also base on the information laws of the structure of external world; (2) explains the structure and functioning of the brain functional systems and cellular ensembles; (3) ensures maximum accuracy of predictions and the anticipation of reality; (4) resolves emerging contradictions and (5) is an information theory of the brain's reflection of reality.