[ExI] A new theory of consciousness: conditionalism

[Jason Resch]

Thanks Bill. What are some examples of behaviors that don't require
conditionals, and are they behaviors associated with either intelligence or
consciousness?

Jason

On Fri, Aug 25, 2023, 3:15 PM BillK via extropy-chat <
extropy-chat at lists.extropy.org> wrote:

> On Fri, 25 Aug 2023 at 18:50, 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
> > _______________________________________________
>
>
> My AI friends (who do most of my thinking these days) seem to be
> saying, Yes, But.....
> They think humans use conditionals, but also use a lot more as well.
> And they quote behaviours which appear to not use conditionals at all.
>
> BillK
>
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