Theory of Consciousness

Artificial Intelligence

Artificial Intelligence and Consciousness

Harry Haroutioun Haladjian Ph.D. on March 20, 2024

AI has advanced by including several human-like processes in its programming. While such processes are core for human consciousness, they will not lead to artificial consciousness.

AI has advanced by including several human-like processes in its programming. While such processes are core for human consciousness, they will not lead to artificial consciousness.

Artificial Intelligence

Digital Escapism and the Miracle of Cave Art

Carlos Montemayor Ph.D. on February 25, 2024

We should use our technology to enhance our capacities for trust. We are not doing this well, and we run the risk of misusing technology by generating mistrust.

We should use our technology to enhance our capacities for trust. We are not doing this well, and we run the risk of misusing technology by generating mistrust.

Attention

Curiosity and Perspective in Today's Busy World

Carlos Montemayor Ph.D. on October 16, 2022

Perspective-taking can be as multicolored as object-based attention.

Perspective-taking can be as multicolored as object-based attention.

Attention

Hypostatic Attention

Carlos Montemayor Ph.D. on March 27, 2022

Attention patterns or protocols may be limited, yet attention is limitless with respect to the objects it can be directed to.

Attention patterns or protocols may be limited, yet attention is limitless with respect to the objects it can be directed to.

Intelligence

Exploring Post-Human Consciousness and Attention

Carlos Montemayor Ph.D. on February 8, 2022

We have always hoped to transcend our limitations as a species. But what does this mean for the future of our attentive and conscious capacities?

We have always hoped to transcend our limitations as a species. But what does this mean for the future of our attentive and conscious capacities?

Intelligence

Artificiality and Familiarity in Consciousness

Carlos Montemayor Ph.D. on October 12, 2021

Artificial intelligence can be uncanny and creepy. Familiarity, based on conscious awareness, is relevant for understanding why.

Artificial intelligence can be uncanny and creepy. Familiarity, based on conscious awareness, is relevant for understanding why.

Attention

Finding Perspective on the First-Person Perspective

Harry Haroutioun Haladjian Ph.D. on August 30, 2021

While phenomenal consciousness is characterized by subjective experiences from a first-person perspective, current scientific theories of consciousness fail to address this topic.

While phenomenal consciousness is characterized by subjective experiences from a first-person perspective, current scientific theories of consciousness fail to address this topic.

Attention

What Is Phenomenal Consciousness?

Harry Haroutioun Haladjian Ph.D. on May 28, 2021

Sometimes the most obvious things are difficult to explain. In this post, we’ll try to clarify what cognitive scientists mean when they talk about “phenomenal consciousness.”

Sometimes the most obvious things are difficult to explain. In this post, we’ll try to clarify what cognitive scientists mean when they talk about “phenomenal consciousness.”

Attention

Homeostatic Consciousness: A New Approach to an Old Problem?

Carlos Montemayor Ph.D. on May 11, 2021

Can we explain consciousness through the metabolic and biological process of emotional homeostasis?

Can we explain consciousness through the metabolic and biological process of emotional homeostasis?

Attention

A Phenomenal Duplicate Talks to Her Zombie Twin

Carlos Montemayor Ph.D. on January 25, 2021

We pay attention to dialogues in conversation with others and ourselves. Here we present a dialogue that is difficult to classify between characters from previous posts.

We pay attention to dialogues in conversation with others and ourselves. Here we present a dialogue that is difficult to classify between characters from previous posts.

Attention

Informavore Doppelgangers: Your Phenomenal Duplicate

Carlos Montemayor Ph.D. on September 15, 2020

As new characters from the consciousness world emerge, questions about identity get more complicated.

As new characters from the consciousness world emerge, questions about identity get more complicated.

Attention

Commodifying Your Attention: The Informavore Perspective

Harry Haroutioun Haladjian Ph.D. on June 17, 2020

Competition for attention in the natural world shaped how attentional mechanisms evolved. What’s the fate of our attention now that there are more competitors?

Competition for attention in the natural world shaped how attentional mechanisms evolved. What’s the fate of our attention now that there are more competitors?

Empathy

The Informavore Doppelgangers I: Zombie-You

Carlos Montemayor Ph.D. on February 23, 2020

If you encountered your philosophical zombie, what would you like to tell them?

If you encountered your philosophical zombie, what would you like to tell them?

Attention

The Universe as Informavore

Carlos Montemayor Ph.D. on October 25, 2019

Maybe the universe is an informavore. But it need not be conscious like us.

Maybe the universe is an informavore. But it need not be conscious like us.

Cognition

Information Processing in Bacteria and Plants

Carlos Montemayor Ph.D. on May 10, 2019

Informavores are organisms that are driven to consume information. This not only includes humans but also simpler organisms like plants and bacteria.

Informavores are organisms that are driven to consume information. This not only includes humans but also simpler organisms like plants and bacteria.

Attention

Informavores: Beings that Produce and Consume Information

Harry Haroutioun Haladjian Ph.D. on March 28, 2019

What is the purpose of attention other than for consuming information? Is the increasing complexity of information consumption a primary evolutionary development in all organisms?

What is the purpose of attention other than for consuming information? Is the increasing complexity of information consumption a primary evolutionary development in all organisms?

Attention

The Role of Information in Consciousness

Harry Haroutioun Haladjian Ph.D. on February 18, 2019

Humans are informavores — constantly seeking and consuming information. But just how much does information influence our conscious experience?

Humans are informavores — constantly seeking and consuming information. But just how much does information influence our conscious experience?

Attention

The Norms of Attention in Communication

Carlos Montemayor Ph.D. on December 31, 2018

Where do the complicated norms we follow in conversational exchanges come from? Features of perceptual attention provide insights.

Where do the complicated norms we follow in conversational exchanges come from? Features of perceptual attention provide insights.

Attention

Joint Attention and Successful Conversation

Carlos Montemayor Ph.D. on August 17, 2018

Things can go wrong in communication. Fortunately, humans have an enormous capacity to jointly attend to contents, and avoid massive miscommunication.

Things can go wrong in communication. Fortunately, humans have an enormous capacity to jointly attend to contents, and avoid massive miscommunication.

Teamwork

Joint Attention and Conversational Cooperation

Harry Haroutioun Haladjian Ph.D. on May 28, 2018

In "The Lord of the Flies", Golding weaves together themes of chaos, order, and human nature in an insightful and haunting story that illustrates the importance of cooperation.

In "The Lord of the Flies", Golding weaves together themes of chaos, order, and human nature in an insightful and haunting story that illustrates the importance of cooperation.