Exploring Consciousness: Is It More Than Just Computation?
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Understanding Consciousness
The prevailing view among neuroscientists is that consciousness arises primarily in the brain's cortex, giving rise to an individual sense of self. However, since the 1990s, Professor Mark Solms has been presenting compelling evidence that challenges this mainstream perspective. He posits that the sense of self is rooted in the brainstem, particularly in an area known as the Periaqueductal Grey (PAG).
Solms argues that many neuroscientists possess a distorted understanding of conscious versus unconscious processes. He suggests that much of what we believe to be conscious actions are actually unconscious; in essence, we are more like observers of our actions rather than the instigators. According to Solms, consciousness is fundamentally linked to our feelings. While we have conscious control over our feelings, our actions are often observed unconsciously.
Solms’ insights align with various articles on the subject, although his claims regarding the origins of consciousness are subject to scrutiny. This article will outline both shared ideas and distinctions.
The Nature of Consciousness as Feelings
Solms supports his assertions with numerous examples of individuals who have experienced brain damage. The brain can be categorized into three main parts: the forebrain, midbrain, and hindbrain, with the brainstem encompassing the midbrain and hindbrain. While most neuroscientists believe that the cerebral cortex, a component of the forebrain, is the source of one's sense of self, Solms contends that individuals with damage to various regions of the cerebral cortex still report a retained sense of self. This indicates that impairments in the cerebral cortex do not necessarily lead to a loss of self-awareness.
In contrast, Solms claims that damage to the brainstem can result in the disappearance of the sense of self. He further asserts that feelings originate in the brainstem, linking consciousness to our emotional experiences. He famously states, "What we perceive is a virtual reality constructed from the mind’s own building materials" (Solms, The Hidden Spring, chapter 10). He believes consciousness emerges from the need to align predictions with incoming stimuli, with the cortex becoming conscious only when stimulated by the brainstem. Ultimately, perception, action, and cognition are experienced as they relate to our emotional states (chapter 6).
According to some theories, a form of consciousness existed even before our universe came into being, aimed at fostering increasing complexity. One way this complexity is achieved is through the concept of entropy—essentially an increase in disorder over time.
Solms posits that the brain functions as a self-organizing entity that maintains homeostasis, requiring the minimization of entropy. Thus, consciousness, in his view, manifests as feelings that serve the purpose of reducing entropy.
Consciousness and Free Will
The universe appears to be structured as if existing in De-Sitter space, initiating a natural process that promotes complexity. However, consciousness within our universe may not directly reflect consciousness in a broader reality. Our consciousness necessitates free will to manifest new possibilities.
In this universe, we act as observers of unfolding events. Although we may not realize that we are observers rather than active participants, we remain aware of the feelings we experience. We possess the ability to modify the intensity of these feelings, which can, in turn, influence future events. To effect such changes, it is essential to recognize potential alternatives; understanding the "adjacent possible" allows us to respond to these feelings appropriately.
Our universe plays a role in selecting individuals with specific attributes. If chosen, we may have the chance to engage in another universe filled with people who possess the required traits. Unlike our current universe, this new realm would be designed to foster new possibilities. The inhabitants of such a universe might possess brains akin to those described by Solms, making them active participants rather than mere observers.
Consciousness as Computation
This article aims to suggest that the brain structure aligned with Solms' theories is compatible with the notion that our universe is underpinned by mathematical principles. Solms’ ideas resonate with various other theories about the universe. The decision between these theories should not hinge on a single case study, as individual instances cannot provide definitive proof due to the potential for undiscovered explanations.
The argument presented herein highlights numerous examples that support the idea that our universe has emerged from geometric and mathematical foundations. The current mainstream scientific explanation for our universe is referred to as ΛCDM, where Λ (Lambda) represents a cosmological constant linked to dark energy, and CDM denotes Cold Dark Matter. Mainstream scientists struggle to explain the origins of dark energy and dark matter, which together account for roughly 95% of the universe's energy.
Another popular explanation for the universe's origin attributes it to a divine creator, yet consensus on the nature of this creator remains elusive.
This article not only offers a logical perspective on dark energy and dark matter but also proposes a new understanding of God as the creative force behind the universe's inception. Following the Big Bang, both the ΛCDM model and the arguments presented here may yield similar predictions regarding cosmic events. Utilizing the principle of Occam’s Razor—advocating for simplicity in explanation—the concepts discussed in this article emerge as the preferred explanation for the universe's origin, as they require fewer assumptions to arrive at the same conclusions.
The central question remains:
Are we merely observers of our own lives?
In this video, Roger Penrose argues against the idea that consciousness can be reduced to mere computation, offering insights into the profound nature of consciousness.