Self-aware pattern
A self-aware pattern is a name for any complex system that is organized in such a way that it is aware of its own existence. The existence of the pattern is believed to be fully equivalent to the existence of its consciousness.[1]
Meaning
Neurologists and many philosophers believe that human minds are self-aware patterns inside human brains. At a sub-cellular level, the physical state of a brain is constantly changing: specifically, the temporary connections that form and dissolve between neurons as they receive and send electrical pulses. These physical patterns are believed to be neural correlates of consciousness.
Proponents of strong AI believe that future computer programs could also create self-aware patterns. The software code of such a hypothetical program would not be aware by itself. The program (or perhaps multiple programs) would have to run inside a supercomputer more powerful than any known to exist in the 2010s. The goal would be to create artificial consciousness or synthetic consciousness (which would include artificial awareness).
Type-identity theorists believe that consciousness can only exist inside a physical systems that is reorganizing itself. Consciousness requires both a physical pattern, and physical events to change that pattern.[2]
Philosophers of consciousness believe such a pattern must have a minimum complexity in order to become aware. Both the number of internal connections, and the number of interactions between them must be very large, equivalent to trillions of changes per second.
Consciousness may be the result of many lower processes. In the same way that matter is made of atoms, a self-aware pattern would be made of many smaller patterns processing basic types of information.[3]
Anthropic consciousness
Some philosophers have speculated that a self-aware pattern could come together by pure chance (like in a Boltzmann Brain). This remains controversial, but has led to questions whether awareness might exist separate from matter or outside of time. For example, a complete written description of the actions of a brain over an extended time-span might be fully equivalent to these actions that generate awareness in the brain. The question then arises whether that written description would itself be aware, or whether it is a form of higher-order or derivative awareness.
It is theorized that different patterns could generate the same subjective awareness if they are mathematically equivalent.[4] It has even been speculated that some of the random patterns inside a rock could be interpreted as being identical to the patterns inside a thinking brain.[5]
This implies that awareness might exist almost anywhere, one of the tenets of panpsychism. However, this universe of awareness would be unable to affect the physical universe. Instead, it would be a consequence of it, a form of epiphenomenalism.
Also see
References
- ↑ Paul L. Nunez (Mar 6, 2017) https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-new-science-consciousness/201703/brain-dynamic-patterns-and-the-mind
- ↑ Block 1978; Bickle 2003 | http://www.iep.utm.edu/identity/
- ↑ "Sarkus" (Sep 16, 2007) http://www.sciforums.com/threads/non-material-consciousness-the-flaw.71596/
- ↑ "Multiple Realizability" (Hilary Putnam, 1960-1981) http://www.iep.utm.edu/mult-rea/
- ↑ (Nov 18, 2007) http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/18/magazine/18wwln-lede-t.html
