The Hard Problem of Consciousness and the Free Energy Principle.
Frontiers in Psychology January 1, 2018 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2018.02714 (opens in new tab) via PubMed
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractThe article applies the free energy principle to the hard problem of consciousness. It argues that the elemental form of consciousness is affect, located in the upper brainstem via an extended form of homeostasis. This mechanism is formalized as free energy minimization in unpredicted contexts, where decreases in expected uncertainty are felt as pleasure and increases as unpleasure. The work emphasizes why such existential imperatives feel like something to and for an organism.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Philosophy of mind |
| Keywords | Freud Affect Consciousness Free energy |
| Key finding | Proposes that the elemental form of consciousness is affect, with its physiological mechanism in the upper brainstem, formalized through free energy minimization where changes in expected uncertainty produce feelings of pleasure and unpleasure. |
Abstract
This article applies the free energy principle to the hard problem of consciousness. After clarifying some philosophical issues concerning functionalism, it identifies the elemental form of consciousness as affect and locates its physiological mechanism (an extended form of homeostasis) in the upper brainstem. This mechanism is then formalized in terms of free energy minimization (in unpredicted contexts) where decreases and increases in expected uncertainty are felt as pleasure and unpleasure, respectively. Emphasis is placed on the reasons why such existential imperatives feel like something to and for an organism.