> -----Original Message----- > From: Matt Mahoney [mailto:[email protected]] > > But what about a model of phenomenal consciousness? There is a simple, > biologically plausible model that explains why we believe it exists, which of > course is different than it actually existing. When we think or perceive > (write > into episodic or 1-conscious memory), we receive positive reinforcement. > We want this stream of thoughts and perceptions to continue. It is this > reinforcement (as well as negative reinforcement of pain) that we call > phenomenal 2-consciousness. This belief exists because it increases our > reproductive fitness by giving us a will to live. > > Penrose is smart enough to know that the brain is capable of false beliefs, > such as optical illusions. These beliefs can be explained with conventional > neural models. >
This is a good model. It might explain why consciousness exists and how to reproduce some of its aspects. But like I was saying, "belief" on an evolutionary timescale creates things where there was nothing before and those things, like consciousness, can become exceeding complex and essentially take on a life of their own and morph into something much more than what you describe. Evolution hijacks things for other uses even for socio-cultural purposes on a human species scale. John ------------------------------------------- AGI Archives: https://www.listbox.com/member/archive/303/=now RSS Feed: https://www.listbox.com/member/archive/rss/303/21088071-f452e424 Modify Your Subscription: https://www.listbox.com/member/?member_id=21088071&id_secret=21088071-58d57657 Powered by Listbox: http://www.listbox.com
