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A Model of Phenomenal Experience Based on a Dialectical Framework

Daniel Malikov

preprint DOI: 10.31219/osf.io/5bknp (opens in new tab)

Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Theoretical or philosophical paper
Key points Proposes a dialectical model in which consciousness and cognition are structurally and functionally distinct, and argues that sophisticated brains process second-order abstractions termed "virtual objects," which are the only objects available for conscious control. The authors also discuss ethical risks of creating artificial phenomenal experience and offer predictions and inferences from the model.

Abstract

This paper consists of four sections. First is Ethical statement, where we discuss some risks of creating an artificial phenomenal experience. In Introduction we establish some common ground for our model with the topic of Minimal phenomenal experience. Then we present our model, which is based on our dialectical framework and distinguishes between consciousness and cognition as structurally and functionally distinct phenomena. The model outlines the flow from sensory data and suggests that sophisticated brains can process second-order abstractions, termed virtual objects, which are the only objects available for conscious control. A possible approach to a simulation is mentioned. Further, we make some predictions and inferences from the model.