BS 162 "Rethinking Consciousness" with Michael Graziano
Oct 25, 2019
auto_awesome
In this engaging discussion, Dr. Michael Graziano, author of *Rethinking Consciousness*, explores groundbreaking concepts in neuroscience. He delves into Attention Schema Theory, which offers insights into how we perceive consciousness and attentiveness. Graziano links evolutionary psychology with consciousness, revealing how our brains process social interactions and project awareness onto entities around us. The conversation also touches on the complexities of consciousness, its neural underpinnings, and its implications in the realm of artificial intelligence.
Consciousness is a computational ability of the brain to create self-descriptions rather than a non-physical phenomenon.
The evolution of consciousness illustrates how cognitive processes developed from primitive attention mechanisms to more intricate forms over time.
Attention Schema Theory posits that consciousness arises from the brain's models of its attention processes, fostering understanding of both self and social interactions.
Deep dives
Understanding Consciousness as Information Processing
Consciousness is fundamentally about how the brain processes information regarding itself and its environment. Rather than seeing it as a magical or non-physical phenomenon, it can be understood as the brain's computational ability to generate self-descriptions. This shift in perspective emphasizes that everything we experience is derived from information constructed within the brain. The notion is that the study of consciousness should focus on how the brain builds these internal representations and how it perceives itself as conscious.
Evolutionary Context of Consciousness
The exploration of consciousness is framed within an evolutionary context, examining how cognitive processes developed over time. Starting from primitive attention mechanisms in early vertebrates, it outlines how more complex forms of consciousness emerged gradually. This process underscores that aspects of attention and consciousness have deep evolutionary roots, indicating that even basic forms of attention are integral to the development of intelligence. By tracing these processes, a clearer understanding of what contributes to consciousness can be established.
Attention Schema Theory Explained
Attention Schema Theory posits that the brain builds models to monitor its focus of attention, akin to how it constructs a body schema for movement. This idea suggests that just as the body schema informs motor control, an attention schema guides how the brain manages and understands its concentration. It addresses the crucial distinction between attention, a tangible process, and consciousness, which emerges from the brain's understanding of its focus. The theory advances the concept that consciousness can be viewed as a mental model or cartoon representation of attention.
Implications for Social Understanding
The ability to attribute consciousness extends beyond oneself and encompasses social interactions, where individuals gauge the attentiveness and awareness of others. This capability is crucial for predicting behaviors and facilitating communication in social environments. It suggests that humans inherently use similar cognitive processes to model both their own and others' attentional states, effectively attributing consciousness to them. This social function may further explain why we mistakenly assign consciousness to inanimate objects or animals, highlighting our innate tendency to interpret the attentiveness of others.
Consciousness and Artificial Intelligence
The discussion surrounding consciousness raises questions about the potential for artificial intelligence to attain a conscious-like state. If machines can be designed to process information similarly to humans, it is suggested that they could develop a form of consciousness, reflecting the brain's self-modeling process. This prospect aligns with the idea that consciousness is not an exclusive human trait but a construct that can be engineered in systems that simulate self-monitoring. Therefore, advancements in AI may lead to machines that not only perform tasks but also believe they possess awareness, mirroring human consciousness.
This episode is an interview with Dr. Michael Graziano, author of Rethinking Consciousness: A Scientific Theory of Subjective Experience. We discuss how his Attention Schema Theory compliments several current theories and how it answers the question of how the brain generates subjective experience ("qualia"). Links and References:
