Introducing The H I Theories of Consciousness.
Caveat
The theories offered here attempt to use the understandings inherent in the H I Mind Model to explore ‘The Hard Problem’ of consciousness. The H I Mind Model includes 'intelligence' as part of the basic model of the mind. This allows us to better define what the essence of consciousness is and so suggest potential areas of future research.
These theories are not yet supported by research and are offered here as hypothetical.
Theories
To go straight to the detailed theories, follow one of these links:
Consciousness explained:
Theories, Narrative Versions
Four papers to research consciousness:
Theories, Technical Papers
Tell Me More
The descriptions on this page are brief but should give most people a basic idea of how I think our mind actually works.
To "Tell Me More", follow link buttons like this:
A background:
Tell Me More: The Hard Problem
Making 'The Hard Problem' a Little Easier
Instead of describing consciousness from our experiences, or from trying to describe what processes might be involved, I suggest a slightly different approach.
By focusing on function we can propose a more advanced model of the mind (e.g. the H I Mind Model) as a basis for understanding consciousness.
Also, and vitally, we can include a functional description of intelligence to give a much improved explanation of how the mind as a whole functions.
A Solution:
Tell Me More: H I Consciousness
An Overview
Here is a simplified schematic overview of what we can now describe, including some basic functional characteristics:
Dynamic Processing
But consciousness is dynamic; constantly changing. This next schematic indicates the communication processes that support the mind to work as an apparent single entity:
The thicker arrows indicate complex and potentially intense two-way communications including information-transfer and feedback loops.
The thinner arrows indicate sensory input from the subconscious, compulsions, emotional content, memory retrieval, urges to support habitual behaviours, and so on. The Subconscious also accepts information from the focuses that results in memory-making, building of habits, commands for body actions, and so on.
This approach is, I believe, broadly compatible with the Global Workspace Theory proposed by Bernard Baars and Stan Franklin in the late 1980s.
Altered States of Mind an Neurodiversity
With this basic model we can also begin to explore some of the changes in consciousness that we experience, perhaps even including some common neurodiverse conditions.
Diversity:
Tell Me More: States of Mind
Motivational Drivers
The H I Mind Model also identifies three types of motivational drive which can be experienced as influences on our consciousness. These motivational drivers, though extremely varied from situation to situation, appear to be genetically-based and drive what we commonly call human-nature.
In simple terms, these three drivers are compulsions, emotions, and imperatives. All three of these motivational drivers can be sensed in our consciousness and influence our experience of consciousness.
Motivations:
Tell Me More: Motivation Drivers
Some Applications
Research. This theory offers potential to interpret the results of research to be interpreted and related to cognitive and social sciences as well as psychology in general.
Psychology. This theory offers many advantages in terms of understanding motivation and offering improvements to therapy.
A.I. (1). There are significant opportunities for an approach like this to significantly advance the capabilities of future A.I. and to give possible constraints to keep A.I. safe to deploy whilst benefitting society.
A.I. (2). There may even be research opportunities to work towards conscious A.I. or to use A.I. to further explore human consciousness.