[ExI] A new theory of consciousness: conditionalism

[Adrian Tymes]

Consciousness might include conditionalism, but would it not also include
the ability to formulate new conditionals and evaluate whether they match
perceived reality?  I do not see that capability within your definition of
conditionalism.

On Fri, Aug 25, 2023 at 10:49 AM Jason Resch via extropy-chat <
extropy-chat at lists.extropy.org> wrote:

> I would like to propose a theory of consciousness which I think might have
> some merit, but more importantly I would like to see what criticism others
> might have for it.
>
> I have chosen the name "conditionalism" for this theory, as it is based
> loosely on the notion of conditional statements as they appear in both
> regular language, mathematics, and programming languages.
>
> At a high level, states of consciousness are states of knowledge, and
> knowledge is embodied by the existence of some relation to some truth.
>
> A conditional is a means by which a system can enter/reach a state of
> knowledge (i.e. a state of consciousness) if and only if some fact is true.
> A simple example using a programming language:
>
> if (x >= 5) then {
>    // knowledge state of x being greater than or equal to 5
> }
>
> I think this way of considering consciousness, as that existing between
> those two braces: { } can explain a lot.
>
> 1. Consciousness is revealed as an immaterial, ephemeral relation, not any
> particular physical thing we can point at or hold.
>
> 2. It provides for a straight-forward way to bind complex states of
> consciousness, though conjunction, for example:
> If (a and b) {
>     // knowledge of the simultaneous truth of both a and b
> }
> This allows states of consciousness to be arbitrarily complex and varied.
>
> 3. It explains the causal efficacy of states of consciousness. All we need
> to do is link some action to a state of knowledge. Consciousness is then
> seen as antecedent to, and a prerequisite for, any intelligent behavior.
> For example:
> If (light == color.red) {
>     slowDown();
> }
>
> 4. It shows the close relationship between consciousness and information,
> where information is defined as "a difference that makes a difference", as
> conditionals are all about what differences make which differences.
>
> 5. It shows a close relationship between consciousness and
> computationalism, since computations are all about counterfactual and
> conditional relations.
>
> 6. It is also supportive of functionalism and it's multiple realizability,
> as there are many possibile physical arrangements that lead to conditionals.
>
> 7. It's clear there neural networks firings is all about conditionals and
> combining them in whether or not a neuron will fire and which other neurons
> have fired binds up many conditional relations into one larger one.
>
> 8. It seems no intelligent (reactive, deliberative, contemplative,
> reflective, etc.) process can be made that does not contain at least some
> conditionals. As without them, there can be no responsiveness. This
> explains the biological necessity to evolve conditionals and apply them in
> the guidance of behavior. In other words, consciousness (states of
> knowledge) would be strictly necessary for intelligence to evolve.
>
>
> Jason
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