A Communication-Based Model of Consciousness

If consciousness were fully understood, artificial consciousness should be possible. The common objection that qualia are subjective and cannot be re-created artificially is challenged by showing that qualia are grounded in reality and not arbitrary. For the quale color, perceived color corresponds to a three-dimensional value describing an object's spectral reflectance function and is comparable across individuals. The authors presume this holds for other qualia such as pain, hunger, or love. The theory proposes that a specific assembly of neurons processes perceptions and communicates this information to peer group members, constituting conscious information processing. This assembly analyzes bodily experiences, keeps records, and explains experiences to peers.

Study at a glance

Abstract

If one had a full understanding of consciousness then it should be possible to create artificial consciousness. It is frequently argued that qualia are subjective and are impossible to re-create artificially. However, qualia are grounded in reality and therefore are not arbitrary. We show this for the quale color. The perceived color corresponds to a three-dimensional value that describes the spectral reflectance function of an object. Perceived color is comparable across individuals. Given this result for color, it is presumed that this also holds for other qualia like pain, hunger or love. According to the theory presented here, an assembly of neurons processes perceptions and is in charge of communicating this information to other members of the peer group. This assembly corresponds to conscious information processing. The job of this assembly is (a) to analyze what the body experiences (internal and external), (b) to keep a record of it, and (c) to explain these experiences to members of the peer group.