Consciousness is integral to human individuality and social existence and is a cornerstone of our remarkable technological, social, and cultural progress. The pursuit of understanding consciousness goes beyond everyday science and philosophy to the very essence and nature of reality.
Exploring consciousness is a journey that transcends epochs and cultures, starting from mystical, spiritual, or religious significance. Descartes' idea of dualism posited that the mind and body were distinct. However, significant advancements in neuroscience, such as brain imaging and empirical science, have connected the manifestations of consciousness to certain brain activations, with the global workspace and integrated information theory (IIT) dominating the conversation. Although intriguing, the theories fall short of offering a satisfactory model of consciousness.
As we strive to imbue artificial systems with consciousness-like capabilities, the nature of consciousness becomes an increasingly urgent question. While there are significant differences between the topological architecture of large language models (LLMs) and the neurobiological details of circuits empirically linked to consciousness in mammals, the possibility that future LLMs may achieve consciousness motivates us to turn to physics for a common thread between these artificial and biological-based intellects.
The Fermionic Mind Hypothesis (FMH) is a novel consciousness theory. FMH synthesizes the insights of existing interdisciplinary approaches, encompassing neuroscience, psychology, philosophy, computer science, and even quantum physics, into a physical consciousness model. A model of consciousness as a particle can clarify various characteristics of consciousness, including the subjective feeling of separation, the role of observer, and the challenge of managing our thoughts and emotions. Moreover, the contrast between constant self-identity and probabilistic perception resembles wave-particle duality in quantum mechanics.
The principles governing the smallest building blocks of matter, fermions, are mirrored in the workings of the mind. Perception is a reverse thermodynamic cycle that drives cognitive change by altering synaptic complexity. The direction of the cognitive cycle represents intrinsic motivation and is analogous to spin. Reversing the cycle creates an exothermic process that dissipates energy and degrades intellect. The fermionic organization provides emotions with a powerful action-producing capacity analogous to the elemental forces in physics.
The hypothesis is an elegant and testable framework with profound implications for philosophy and social policy. Understanding the nature of consciousness could offer insights into mental and neurological disorders and would impact our ability to define animal consciousness in neuroscience and medicine. It would help us create AI systems with more human-like intelligence, empathy, decision-making abilities, and sentience. It could hint at why consciousness evolved, what it means for our existence, the nature of reality, and our place in the universe. It can shed light on spiritual experiences and transcendence and demonstrate that consciousness is a fundamental building block of nature woven into the fabric of reality.
The book Emotional Reasoning: Insight into the Conscious Experience is published on August 30, 2024.
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