CONSCIOUSNESS
Figure. Consciousness as a separate conceptual entity.
By separating Consciousness from the brain and establishing a
structured interface between the brain and Consciousness one can hope
to develop a provisional model of Consciousness.
A Probabilistic Computer (PC) Model of Consciousness
Although human Consciousness is large and complex it must be finite
since it is derived from the human brain which is finite. We have seen
that Consciousness is overwhelmingly classical (not quantum) in
nature and that it must be treated probabilistically because of the
billions upon billions of states of Consciousness.
These considerations lead us to suggest a Classical Probabilistic
Computer Model for Consciousness with strict interfaces to the human
brain. The human brain is a source of inputs and outputs for the
computer.
Many writers argue that human Consciousness cannot be described by
a computer model (see reference 32 for an example). Then they
sometimes proceed to use a computer model to simulate some feature
of Consciousness. Since human Consciousness is based on a finite
human brain that in principle can be simulated by a sufficiently large
and complex computer it seems reasonable to think that Consciousness
can be modeled on a computer with appropriate features and
capabilities.
Does Consciousness “run” like a computer program? No, a better view
of Consciousness is to view it as a set of capabilities and features that
interconnect to constitute Consciousness. Each of these entities (They
may map to groups of neurons in the brain.) has a set of capabilities or
features.
One can think of each of them as an “object” that has a specific set of
capabilities and features. These objects have a “mini-program” inside
them that specifies their behavior and how they hook up with other
objects to perform tasks and to constitute the Consciousness. The
hooks are variable and dynamic.
The time evolution of the Consciousness from state to state is a result
of the execution of these “mini-programs” in a dynamic ever-changing
way. There is no overall program but instead there is an ever changing,
dynamic, unfolding of states of Consciousness in response to external
inputs and based on the previous state of Consciousness plus random
effects within Consciousness.
The description of Consciousness as a collection of objects with
features, an internal “mini-program” describing the object’s behavior
and interaction with other objects can be called an Object-Oriented
definition. The concept of Object-Oriented Programming is currently
the preferred way to program amongst computer software developers.
It meshes well with the observed features of Consciousness. One