A Reply to The Case for Conscious Experience Being in Individual Neurons by Edwards and Somov (20... more A Reply to The Case for Conscious Experience Being in Individual Neurons by Edwards and Somov (2023) Context from the E & S original article are provided. My replies should also be of interest if simply read over by themselves.
How Brain Makes Mind: The Principles of Operation, in 4 Parts, 2022
We present the principles of operation by which a brain makes a mind, at all scales necessary to ... more We present the principles of operation by which a brain makes a mind, at all scales necessary to cover the whole problem. We inventory the necessary capabilities for a mind. We divide conscious mind into four layers of increasing elaboration. For the principles of operations of the lower two layers, we provide the STFC theory. For the upper two, we provide the STHC theory. We survey the evolutionary progression from first twinge of experience to human capacities. We explain the types of memory and problem-solving we carry and by what structures they are made to happen. We compare to prior works and review the philosophical implications and stance. All of this is done with minimal incoming assumptions, and those made are declared.
The Four-Layer (”Florida”) Architecture structures the totality of what is called consciousness i... more The Four-Layer (”Florida”) Architecture structures the totality of what is called consciousness into fourlayers spanning everything from the smallest fleck of consciousness in the universe to the capabilities ofhuman mind [1].Most researchers work in a subset of these domains. In this article I map the primary work of each of aset of popular consciousness researchers to the Layers to which that work applies.The map is a draft subject to revision; comments are invited to my email address.
Consciousness research is a field beset with mystery and many conflicting theories. Each set of h... more Consciousness research is a field beset with mystery and many conflicting theories. Each set of hypotheses and arguments in the present situation necessitate first identifying, conveying, and digesting entire platforms of presumptions and definitions from which to reason and work forward. There has emerged no standard, useful structure for work and discourse; prevalent large theories are deeply flawed and/or overly non-committal, typically from first assumptions. What is more reliable is limited in scope and reach. While much work has been done by many this has not led to an understanding of fundamental consciousness. We know a good deal about how the networks of neurons in our heads calculate and process information, shedding light on how we think. This does not tell us how we feel. A mind is thinking plus, especially, feeling. Therefore, we define a reference Architecture for consciousness to assist further research and discussion and we explain the motivations for its form. We present a set of postulates and basic hypotheses. We explain metatheory of consciousness, implied by and supported by the postulates, hypotheses, and architecture. We further start to dig into a theory within the various individual layers of the architecture. Throughout we make a limited set of commitments to what is probably true yet often unrecognized, with brief explanation in the text and references to the longer arguments, while leaving open for variation aspects that are not realistically constrainable at this time. In the course of this article we consider basic mechanisms, the missing explanatory glue from the physical world to value and consciousness. We thus lay out the Sentonic Theory of Fundamental Consciousness (STFC) as principles of operation of the bottom half of the Architecture in real brains.
We define a reference Architecture for consciousness to assist further research and discussion an... more We define a reference Architecture for consciousness to assist further research and discussion and we explain the motivations for its form. We present a set of postulates and basic hypotheses. We explain metatheory of consciousness, implied by and supported by the postulates, hypotheses, and architecture. We further start to dig into a theory within the various individual Layers of the Architecture. While much work has been done by many this has not led to an understanding of fundamental consciousness. We know a good deal about how the networks of neurons in our heads calculate and process information, shedding light on how we think. This does not tell us how we feel. A mind is thinking plus, especially, feeling. In this article we consider basic mechanisms, the missing explanatory glue from the physical world to value and consciousness. We thus lay out the Sentonic Theory of Fundamental Consciousness (STFC) as principles of operation of the bottom half of the Architecture in real brains.
Consciousness and the human mind have been pondered for centuries [1,2]. Today the most fundament... more Consciousness and the human mind have been pondered for centuries [1,2]. Today the most fundamental, likely outlines of the explanation of consciousness are known, and from this landscape we are well-positioned to fill in the basket of specific theories that will include the correct one. However, many errors in thinking and assumptions have accumulated, and even gained fashion, that obscure our progress. It is time to eliminate these, which we do herein by enumerating the complementary true assertions. Following that we mention four principles for choosing direction for further work. We conclude with a framework for further progress.
The key link in understanding the whole of consciousness is the explanation from physics to the m... more The key link in understanding the whole of consciousness is the explanation from physics to the much higher level of qualia, at the bottom edge of the mind. The described model shows a conceptual solution to the Hard Problem of Consciousness.
In humanity’s quest to understand consciousness, much work has been done at the biological and ne... more In humanity’s quest to understand consciousness, much work has been done at the biological and neural levels [1], some also in understanding cognitive higher consciousness [2], and a bit on the contribution and importance of value [3]. But as we have seen, all of this has not led to an understanding of fundamental consciousness. We know a good deal about how the networks of neurons in our heads calculate and process information, shedding light on how we think. This does not tell us how we feel. A mind is thinking plus, especially, feeling. In this article we consider basic mechanisms, the missing explanatory glue from the physical world to value and consciousness. We thus lay out the Sentonic Theory of Fundamental Consciousness (STFC), and end with the topic of sites in the brain where these phenomena may take place.
Consciousness and the human mind have been pondered for centuries [1] [2]. Today the most fundame... more Consciousness and the human mind have been pondered for centuries [1] [2]. Today the most fundamental, likely outlines of the explanation of consciousness are known, and from this landscape we are well-positioned to fill in the basket of specific theories that will include the correct one. However, many errors in thinking and assumptions have accumulated, and even gained fashion, that obscure our progress. It is time to eliminate these, which we do herein by enumerating the complementary true assertions. Following that we mention four principles for choosing direction for further work. We conclude with a framework for further progress.
Consciousness and the human mind have been pondered for centuries. Today the most fundamental, li... more Consciousness and the human mind have been pondered for centuries. Today the most fundamental, likely outlines of the explanation of consciousness are known, and from this landscape we are well-positioned to fill in the basket of specific theories that will include the correct one. However, many errors in thinking and assumptions have accumulated, and even gained fashion, that obscure our progress. It is time to eliminate these, which we do herein by enumerating the complementary true assertions. Following that we mention four principles for choosing direction for further work. We conclude with a framework for further progress. Contents
A Reply to The Case for Conscious Experience Being in Individual Neurons by Edwards and Somov (20... more A Reply to The Case for Conscious Experience Being in Individual Neurons by Edwards and Somov (2023) Context from the E & S original article are provided. My replies should also be of interest if simply read over by themselves.
How Brain Makes Mind: The Principles of Operation, in 4 Parts, 2022
We present the principles of operation by which a brain makes a mind, at all scales necessary to ... more We present the principles of operation by which a brain makes a mind, at all scales necessary to cover the whole problem. We inventory the necessary capabilities for a mind. We divide conscious mind into four layers of increasing elaboration. For the principles of operations of the lower two layers, we provide the STFC theory. For the upper two, we provide the STHC theory. We survey the evolutionary progression from first twinge of experience to human capacities. We explain the types of memory and problem-solving we carry and by what structures they are made to happen. We compare to prior works and review the philosophical implications and stance. All of this is done with minimal incoming assumptions, and those made are declared.
The Four-Layer (”Florida”) Architecture structures the totality of what is called consciousness i... more The Four-Layer (”Florida”) Architecture structures the totality of what is called consciousness into fourlayers spanning everything from the smallest fleck of consciousness in the universe to the capabilities ofhuman mind [1].Most researchers work in a subset of these domains. In this article I map the primary work of each of aset of popular consciousness researchers to the Layers to which that work applies.The map is a draft subject to revision; comments are invited to my email address.
Consciousness research is a field beset with mystery and many conflicting theories. Each set of h... more Consciousness research is a field beset with mystery and many conflicting theories. Each set of hypotheses and arguments in the present situation necessitate first identifying, conveying, and digesting entire platforms of presumptions and definitions from which to reason and work forward. There has emerged no standard, useful structure for work and discourse; prevalent large theories are deeply flawed and/or overly non-committal, typically from first assumptions. What is more reliable is limited in scope and reach. While much work has been done by many this has not led to an understanding of fundamental consciousness. We know a good deal about how the networks of neurons in our heads calculate and process information, shedding light on how we think. This does not tell us how we feel. A mind is thinking plus, especially, feeling. Therefore, we define a reference Architecture for consciousness to assist further research and discussion and we explain the motivations for its form. We present a set of postulates and basic hypotheses. We explain metatheory of consciousness, implied by and supported by the postulates, hypotheses, and architecture. We further start to dig into a theory within the various individual layers of the architecture. Throughout we make a limited set of commitments to what is probably true yet often unrecognized, with brief explanation in the text and references to the longer arguments, while leaving open for variation aspects that are not realistically constrainable at this time. In the course of this article we consider basic mechanisms, the missing explanatory glue from the physical world to value and consciousness. We thus lay out the Sentonic Theory of Fundamental Consciousness (STFC) as principles of operation of the bottom half of the Architecture in real brains.
We define a reference Architecture for consciousness to assist further research and discussion an... more We define a reference Architecture for consciousness to assist further research and discussion and we explain the motivations for its form. We present a set of postulates and basic hypotheses. We explain metatheory of consciousness, implied by and supported by the postulates, hypotheses, and architecture. We further start to dig into a theory within the various individual Layers of the Architecture. While much work has been done by many this has not led to an understanding of fundamental consciousness. We know a good deal about how the networks of neurons in our heads calculate and process information, shedding light on how we think. This does not tell us how we feel. A mind is thinking plus, especially, feeling. In this article we consider basic mechanisms, the missing explanatory glue from the physical world to value and consciousness. We thus lay out the Sentonic Theory of Fundamental Consciousness (STFC) as principles of operation of the bottom half of the Architecture in real brains.
Consciousness and the human mind have been pondered for centuries [1,2]. Today the most fundament... more Consciousness and the human mind have been pondered for centuries [1,2]. Today the most fundamental, likely outlines of the explanation of consciousness are known, and from this landscape we are well-positioned to fill in the basket of specific theories that will include the correct one. However, many errors in thinking and assumptions have accumulated, and even gained fashion, that obscure our progress. It is time to eliminate these, which we do herein by enumerating the complementary true assertions. Following that we mention four principles for choosing direction for further work. We conclude with a framework for further progress.
The key link in understanding the whole of consciousness is the explanation from physics to the m... more The key link in understanding the whole of consciousness is the explanation from physics to the much higher level of qualia, at the bottom edge of the mind. The described model shows a conceptual solution to the Hard Problem of Consciousness.
In humanity’s quest to understand consciousness, much work has been done at the biological and ne... more In humanity’s quest to understand consciousness, much work has been done at the biological and neural levels [1], some also in understanding cognitive higher consciousness [2], and a bit on the contribution and importance of value [3]. But as we have seen, all of this has not led to an understanding of fundamental consciousness. We know a good deal about how the networks of neurons in our heads calculate and process information, shedding light on how we think. This does not tell us how we feel. A mind is thinking plus, especially, feeling. In this article we consider basic mechanisms, the missing explanatory glue from the physical world to value and consciousness. We thus lay out the Sentonic Theory of Fundamental Consciousness (STFC), and end with the topic of sites in the brain where these phenomena may take place.
Consciousness and the human mind have been pondered for centuries [1] [2]. Today the most fundame... more Consciousness and the human mind have been pondered for centuries [1] [2]. Today the most fundamental, likely outlines of the explanation of consciousness are known, and from this landscape we are well-positioned to fill in the basket of specific theories that will include the correct one. However, many errors in thinking and assumptions have accumulated, and even gained fashion, that obscure our progress. It is time to eliminate these, which we do herein by enumerating the complementary true assertions. Following that we mention four principles for choosing direction for further work. We conclude with a framework for further progress.
Consciousness and the human mind have been pondered for centuries. Today the most fundamental, li... more Consciousness and the human mind have been pondered for centuries. Today the most fundamental, likely outlines of the explanation of consciousness are known, and from this landscape we are well-positioned to fill in the basket of specific theories that will include the correct one. However, many errors in thinking and assumptions have accumulated, and even gained fashion, that obscure our progress. It is time to eliminate these, which we do herein by enumerating the complementary true assertions. Following that we mention four principles for choosing direction for further work. We conclude with a framework for further progress. Contents
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Papers by Karl Sipfle
lower two layers, we provide the STFC theory. For the upper two, we provide the STHC theory. We survey the evolutionary progression from first twinge of experience to human capacities. We explain the types of memory and problem-solving we carry and by what structures they are made to happen. We compare to prior works and review the philosophical implications and stance. All of this is done with minimal incoming assumptions, and those made are declared.
Keywords: Consciousness, physics, evolution, feeling, qualia, mind, cognitive, affective, sensation, memory, learning, attention, perception, recognition, decision-making, problem solving, coordination, self, symbol manipulation, language.
(PDF) A Mapping of Popular Consciousness Researchers to the Four-Layer Architecture of Consciousness. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/364608257_A_Mapping_of_Popular_Consciousness_Researchers_to_the_Four-Layer_Architecture_of_Consciousness [accessed Mar 10 2024].
Drafts by Karl Sipfle
lower two layers, we provide the STFC theory. For the upper two, we provide the STHC theory. We survey the evolutionary progression from first twinge of experience to human capacities. We explain the types of memory and problem-solving we carry and by what structures they are made to happen. We compare to prior works and review the philosophical implications and stance. All of this is done with minimal incoming assumptions, and those made are declared.
Keywords: Consciousness, physics, evolution, feeling, qualia, mind, cognitive, affective, sensation, memory, learning, attention, perception, recognition, decision-making, problem solving, coordination, self, symbol manipulation, language.
(PDF) A Mapping of Popular Consciousness Researchers to the Four-Layer Architecture of Consciousness. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/364608257_A_Mapping_of_Popular_Consciousness_Researchers_to_the_Four-Layer_Architecture_of_Consciousness [accessed Mar 10 2024].