A generic model of consciousness
arXiv Preprint Archive January 2, 2024 preprint
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper |
|---|---|
| Topics | Philosophy of mind |
| Keywords | Q-bio.nc Cognitive science Sensory perception Memory research |
| Key points | Proposes that consciousness can be explained by the interplay between associative memory and physiology, offering a counterexample to philosophical objections. |
Abstract
This is a model of consciousness. The hard problem of consciousness, what it feels like, is answered. The work builds on medical research analyzing the source and mechanisms associated with our feelings. It goes further by describing a generic model with wide applicability. The model is fully consistent with medical pathways in humans, but easily extends to animals and AI. The essence of the model is the interplay between associative memory and physiology. The model is a clear and concrete counterexample to the famous philosophical objections to a scientific explanation.