Best of Series: Inside Consciousness with Antonio DiMasio
Dec 21, 2023
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Neuroscientist Antonio Damasio discusses consciousness, the relationship between mind and consciousness, perception, mental illness, evolution, panpsychism, AI, and machine learning. He explores the evolution of emotions, feelings, and consciousness, emphasizing the social aspect of emotions and the distinction between feelings and emotions.
Consciousness is the complex relationship between the brain and body, allowing for sentient thought and is distinct from the mind.
Homoeostatic feelings like hunger and pain develop before emotions and are foundational aspects of consciousness.
The default mode network in the brain enhances creative thinking but separating oneself from conscious awareness can lead to more imaginative flights of fancy.
Deep dives
The relationship between mind and consciousness
Dr. Antonio D'Amasio argues that the mind and consciousness are not the same thing. Consciousness is the complex relationship between the brain and body, allowing for sentient thought. Homoeostatic feelings like hunger and pain develop before emotions, and along with it comes consciousness. This distinction between mind and consciousness is critical to understanding the complexities of human perception, mental illness, and evolution. Dr. D'Amasio also discusses the importance of the nervous system in creating a sense of self and how it relates to consciousness.
The role of feelings in consciousness
Feelings are the inaugural events of consciousness, allowing organisms with nervous systems to have mental representations of their internal states. These homoeostatic feelings, such as hunger and thirst, provide vital information to regulate life. There is a continuous feeling of being alive, a feeling of existence, which is a fundamental aspect of consciousness. Dr. D'Amasio emphasizes that creativity, such as artistic expression or music improvisation, often involves tapping into the stream of mind, where consciousness plays a more fluid role.
The default mode network and creativity
The default mode network, a network of brain areas involved in social cognition and mental time travel, is an important contributor to the creative process but not necessarily the central hub. The default mode network allows for free-flowing thoughts and imagination, enhancing creative thinking. Dr. D'Amasio reflects on the balance between consciousness and creativity, suggesting that sometimes consciousness may hinder the creative process, and separating oneself from conscious awareness can lead to more imaginative flights of fancy.
Panpsychism and the future of consciousness
While Dr. D'Amasio acknowledges the popularity of panpsychism as a way to explain consciousness, he remains skeptical. He emphasizes that consciousness requires a living organism with a nervous system, coordinating with the body and the brain. While the future may bring advancements in creating machines that mimic aspects of consciousness, the precise integration of a living body with a nervous system remains a crucial component that is yet to be achieved.
The relationship between consciousness and machine learning
Dr. D'Amasio suggests that the integration of advanced computer processors with elements of a living organism could potentially enhance the creative capacities of machines. However, he highlights the importance of including a body aspect to mimic certain properties of a living organism in order to achieve successful results. While such advancements are currently not possible, Dr. D'Amasio remains optimistic about the future possibilities of creating more advanced machines with conscious-like capabilities.
Today we welcome Dr. Antonio Damasio. He is an internationally recognized neuroscientist whose extensive research has shaped the understanding of neural systems and consciousness. With over a hundred journal articles and book chapters, he has earned many prestigious awards throughout his career. Currently, he serves as University Professor, the David Dornsife Professor of Neuroscience, Psychology, and Philosophy, and director of the Brain and Creativity Institute at the University of Southern California. His books Descartes’ Error, Looking for Spinoza, Self Comes to Mind, The Strange Order of Things, and Feeling & Knowing, have been published in translation and are taught in universities throughout the world. In this episode, I talk to Antonio Damasio about consciousness. People often think that the mind and consciousness are the same thing, but Dr. Damasio disputes this notion. He argues that it’s the complex relationship of both our brains and bodies that makes sentient thought possible. Homeostatic feelings like hunger and pain developed before emotions; and along with it came consciousness. We also touch on the topics of perception, mental illness, evolution, panpsychism, AI and machine learning. Website: dornsife.usc.edu/bc Twitter: @damasiousc
