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The H I Theory of Core Consciousness.
John Cochrane Jan-Sep 2025
This theory suggests a structural modified model of consciousness that comprehensively covers the great variability of our conscious experience whilst providing an initial definition of the core or essence of consciousness.
In particular, this theory identifies an approach that helps to define the essence or core of consciousness.
Four Theories.
This theory is the first of four theories that address different aspects of human consciousness.
The four theories are largely independent, in the sense that each addresses a different aspect of consciousness and do not rely strongly on each other. Each theory contributes, subject to verification, to an overall understanding of the function and experience of human consciousness.
Each of the theories are broadly compatible with Global Workspace Theory and/or similar theories that approach consciousness through the processes apparent in the brain as a whole. The theories are also broadly relatable to the Thousand Brains Model of intelligence as well as modern hemispheric research and theories.
Historical Mind Model.
Our descriptions of consciousness have historically been based on our inner experience as individuals and have been represented as part of our understanding of the human mind.
Including Intelligence.
We are, or can be, consciously aware of mental processing that feeds into our consciousness. We know that we reason, that we hold varied types of memory, that we learn, that we can understand many objects and concepts, that we can problem-solve, and that our thinking is adaptable. These mental qualities, when combined together, can be called general intelligence.
I suggest that we can usefully add ‘intelligence’ as a functional layer to our two-part traditional model of the mind. Intelligence represents high-functioning processing that directly supports our core consciousness.
I further suggest that intelligence can be considered as semi-consciousness. We can be conscious of the influences of intelligence on our core consciousness. We can concentrate our consciousness into our intelligent thinking both to generate further intelligent processing and to become more consciousness of that processing.
Intelligence can also be considered as deeply structured to describe different aspects of human nature.
The HI Mind Model.
The Hemispheric Intelligence (HI) Mind Model (described elsewhere) proposes a structured version of the mind derived from evolutionary and behavioural principles. Five focuses of mind are proposed that are available to our inner awareness at various times and in various ways. In processing terms, the focuses of mind represent activity in the Neocortex producing intelligence (Thousand Brains Model) that supports our experience of personal consciousness.
The five focuses are logically built upon the Subconscious (or Non-Conscious) which is treated as complex but automatic, and not directly available to our consciousness.
In summary, the conscious or semi-conscious focuses are as follows:
Social Focus.
The Social Focus covers social behaviours to enable basic family or pack activities. The Social Focus is probably mainly pre-verbal but provides abilities to get on with close relatives, to learn from others, and to provide mutual support. The Social Focus is largely knowledge-based.
Aspirational Focus.
The Aspirational Focus covers creative abilities, including play and exploration, as well as an ability to imagine future potentials. The Aspirational Focus compliments the Social Focus but functions to provide intelligent spontaneity, impulsive behaviours, and fundamental creative abilities (what-may-be) rather than relying on what-is-known.
Cultural Focus.
The Cultural Focus covers abilities, including language-based communications, that enable much larger populations and societies to work together. The Cultural Focus extends the memory-based learning of the Social Focus to include specific factual learning as well as complex language capabilities.
Noble Focus.
The Noble Focus covers non-self, outward-looking, topics that are not covered by the other focuses. The Noble Focus extends the creative abilities of the Aspirational Focus and provides wisdom, morality, altruism, compassion, respect, and selflessness as well as experiences of wonder and awe.
Planning Focus (including the core of consciousness).
The Planning Focus covers management of the other focuses and represents our day-to-day experience of thoughtful consciousness. The Planning Focus applies logic for problem-solving and to establish optimal behaviour for a particular situation.
The Planning Focus is different to the other focuses as it combines intelligence with a core of consciousness. The HI Mind Model cannot precisely define a separation between consciousness and executive intelligence without further research.
Five Focuses Working Together.
The five focuses work together to enable human beings to produce flexible, resilient, and comprehensive behaviours. These behaviours offer considerable personal survival benefit as well as species benefit.
Consciousness and the Brain Hemispheres.
Broadly, the Social and Cultural Focuses appear to be primarily associated with the left hemisphere of the brain whilst the Aspirational and Noble Focuses appear to be broadly associated with the right hemisphere.
The Planning Focus is crudely associated with the bridge between the hemispheres but also represents an interplay of brain activity amongst the other focuses where activity varies according to the needs and opportunities of the current moment.
The Mind and the Brain.
The ‘brain’ is a physical thing . The brain is a hugely complex and structured physical organ. As a physical organ, the brain is available for scientific exploration and study.
The ‘mind’ is a metaphor. It is used to describe and try to make sense of our everyday mental experiences including consciousness, intelligence, motivations, memories, cognitive imperatives, biases, and so on. The mind is widely described and used within psychology, philosophy, and many other fields of study but is extremely challenging to study directly with scientific rigour.
A direct functional relationship between our brain and any useful model of the mind is probably impossible. Neuroscience gives us greater and greater detail of the brain but models of the mind, whether based on evolutionary considerations, behavioural-functional considerations, or experiential insights will remain relatively crude. The HI Mind Model is a model that does seem to offer at least some potential for mapping what goes on in our brain and what we experience as our consciousness and our mind.
Core Consciousness.
This theory suggests that we can consider consciousness both as a property of the brain as a whole (through varied processing in the Neocortex) and also as processing between the hemispheres in the form of an essential, or core, aspect of consciousness.
Core Consciousness is a common term used to describe this essential aspect of consciousness, which includes self-awareness and exists to resolve the diverse mental motivations produced by all of the focuses of mind, including the Planning Focus, however these may be defined.
Every part of our brain may be involved with consciousness at various times and in different situations but Core Consciousness represents the essential continuous conscious self-awareness that we experience whilst we are awake.
Core Consciousness represents a minimum set of characteristics that enable our observation and appreciation of the moment, and provides continuity from moment to moment. In functional terms, this is a small subset of the full diversity of conscious and semi-consciousness activity that may be defined as representing the mind as a whole.
Of course, the concept of Core Consciousness is described through other theories. I believe that the focuses described by the HI Mind Model offer a uniquely useful approach but the concept of Core Consciousness itself is not dependent on the specific modelling of intelligence or semi-consciousness.
The benefit of considering Core Consciousness is that the overall problem of identifying what consciousness actually is, and where in the brain it may primarily be located, can be simplified.
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