Neural Networks
November 2007
L Andrew Coward, Ron Sun
There has been much discussion on what a scientific theory of consciousness would look like, and even whether such a theory is possible. Some common misunderstandings of the nature of theories (e.g., in the physical sciences) have confused the discussion of theories concerning consciousness. Theories in the physical sciences establish hierarchies of descriptions that relate high-level...
Cambridge University Press eBooks
May 14, 2007
Ron Sun, Stan Franklin
30 citations
This chapter aims to provide an overview of existing computational (mechanistic) models of cognition in relation to the study of consciousness, on the basis of psychological and philosophical theories and data. It examines various mechanistic explanations of consciousness in existing computational cognitive models. Serving as an example for the discussions, a computational model of the...
Consciousness and Cognition
June 1, 2004
L Andrew Coward, Ron Sun
20 citations
In the physical sciences a rigorous theory is a hierarchy of descriptions in which causal relationships between many general types of entity at a phenomenological level can be derived from causal relationships between smaller numbers of simpler entities at more detailed levels. The hierarchy of descriptions resembles the modular hierarchy created in electronic systems in order to be able to...
Behavioral and Brain Sciences
June 1, 2002
Ron Sun
This commentary suggests that there are two distinct types of interacting cognitive processes. Conscious processes emerge from unconscious processes. The key problem of SOC is that it uses an overly narrow notion of the “cognitive unconscious” to show that the “cognitive unconscious” is not necessary. Yet, it has little to say about the roles of conscious and unconscious processes in general.
Psychology Press eBooks
September 1, 2001
Ron Sun
I will first critique various explanations of consciousness, especially those embodied by existing computational models. I will then explore the issue of the functional roles of consciousness and examine various views in this regard, in relation to the explanation of consciousness. In these examinations, I will argue in favor of the explanation based on the distinction between localist...
Journal of Intelligent Systems
December 1, 1999
Ron Sun
9 citations
This paper aims at evaluating existing computational (mechanistic) models of cognition in relation to the study of consciousness, on the basis of psychological and philosophical theories and data.It first critiques various mechanistic explanations of consciousness, especially existing computational cognitive models.It then explores the issue of the functional roles of consciousness and examines...