In this engaging discussion, Anil Seth, a Professor of cognitive and computational neuroscience at the University of Sussex and author of "Being You", dives into the intricate ways our brains construct reality. He poses thought-provoking questions about perception and individuality, exploring whether we see color the same way. The dialogue touches on the historical intersections between cognition and philosophy, and how perceptions can be seen as controlled hallucinations. Seth also examines consciousness across species and AI, revealing the fascinating complexities behind how we experience the world.
Consciousness is a complex interplay between neural processes and subjective experiences, distinguishing it from mere information processing.
Perception is actively constructed by the brain as a 'controlled hallucination,' heavily relying on predictions from prior experiences.
The study of perceptual diversity among individuals reveals how unique brain structures and histories shape personal experiences and understanding.
Deep dives
Understanding Consciousness
Consciousness is characterized by the unique experience of being alive, which scientists strive to understand through various paradigms. It differs from simple processing by involving subjective experience, making it a central mystery in neuroscience. The complexity of neural interactions raises questions about how something with so many components can give rise to a sense of self and subjective experience. Given the advancements since the 1990s, the inquiry into consciousness has grown more rigorous, especially in understanding how subjective experiences emerge from neural processes.
Perception as Controlled Hallucination
Perception is better understood as an active construction rather than a passive reception of sensory data, termed a 'controlled hallucination.' This concept implies that the brain generates predictions about sensory input based on prior experiences and continually adjusts them through feedback from the environment. Rather than interpreting incoming data directly, the brain uses sensory signals to refine its internal models of reality. This perspective highlights the brain's role in actively creating our experiences rather than simply responding to stimuli.
The Role of Predictions in Experience
The brain constantly engages in a predictive coding process where it anticipates sensory input and adjusts its models based on prediction errors. This dynamic enables individuals to maintain a coherent experience of reality, even in the presence of ambiguous or incomplete information. For example, when walking from indoors to outdoors, despite changes in lighting, we see consistent colors due to the brain's color constancy, an inference made from multiple sensory inputs. This underscores how predictions shape our understanding of the world and influence how we interact with it.
Individual Variability in Perception
Every human experiences the world uniquely due to differences in brain structure, sensory processing, and individual history, leading to the concept of perceptual diversity. The perception census initiative seeks to collect data on these differences at scale, providing insights into how various factors influence personal experiences. By studying this diversity, researchers can better understand how these individual perceptions relate to specific conditions like synesthesia or autism. The aim is to move beyond the binary classification of neurotypical versus neurodivergent by recognizing that all perceptions exist within a spectrum.
Animal Consciousness and AI Perspectives
The understanding of consciousness extends beyond humans to include non-human animals, with the recognition that many possess capacities for subjective experience. Discussions around AI consciousness highlight critical distinctions, as even advanced algorithms do not necessarily imply sentience. The skepticism surrounding AI consciousness stems from recognizing the need to differentiate between intelligent behavior and the experience of consciousness itself. These explorations raise ethical questions about recognizing consciousness in other species and emphasize the importance of scientifically examining consciousness rather than relying solely on intuitive judgments.
Do you perceive red the same way I do? What is wrong with the textbook model of vision? Why do brains have so many internal feedback loops? And what does any of this have to do with Plato’s cave, Ernest Hemingway, or artificial neural networks that perceive dogs everywhere? Join Eagleman with guest Anil Seth, author of “Being You”, to explore the scientific problem of consciousness.
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