- In the computational mainstream of consciousness theories, including predictive coding and the free energy principle, it is often hypothesized that the brain...
- PROSTO24 journalists have explored an alternative viewpoint suggesting that consciousness is not exclusively a product of the brain but a more fundamental property of all living matter.
- The general principle of organizing information flows in living organisms involves several key stages:
Consciousness: Not a Brain Product, but a Fundamental Principle of Life
In the computational mainstream of consciousness theories, including predictive coding and the free energy principle, it is often hypothesized that the brain generates predictions that are then evaluated as “good” or “bad.” However, this approach leaves the so-called hard problem of consciousness unanswered: if predictions are purely computational operations, why are subjective experiences like joy or sorrow necessary? Even with a complete description of the brain’s computational processes, it remains unclear how the brain generates consciousness.
PROSTO24 journalists have explored an alternative viewpoint suggesting that consciousness is not exclusively a product of the brain but a more fundamental property of all living matter. This concept proposes tracing the evolution of information flows, starting from RNA, rather than solely from the human level. Within this paradigm, it becomes evident that the order of computations does not begin with prediction, and consciousness is a general principle inherent to all living matter, aimed at organizing information about its own structure.
Evolution of Information Flows and the Mechanism of Consciousness
The general principle of organizing information flows in living organisms involves several key stages:
- Signal Evaluation: All living organisms first evaluate incoming signals, both external and internal.
- Prediction of Internal State: Based on accumulated memory of all previous states of the organism, a preemptive search is conducted within the stored memory of its own states. This is not a calculation of the future or the creation of an external world model, but rather the recreation of necessary biochemistry to approach or avoid certain events.
- Action and Comparison: Through altered internal biochemistry, an action is performed, and its result is then compared with the prediction.
- Prediction Adjustment: A positive outcome reinforces the prediction, lowering its activation threshold and making it more probabilistic. A negative outcome does not eliminate the prediction but raises its activation threshold.
Thus, consciousness is viewed as an inherent property of living matter, enabling it to organize information about its own structure. Human consciousness, within this framework, is merely a species-specific form of the same organization of information flows.
Physical Laws and Subjective Experiences
While the brain’s function is generally considered computable and can be described using physical laws (molecular collisions, ion flows, neural signal transmission), subjective experiences remain outside this description. The question of why electrical signals in neurons are accompanied by, for example, taste or joy, still lacks a definitive answer.
Instead of attempting to derive consciousness from physical laws, proponents of the new concept argue that the brain does not directly generate consciousness. The brain is a genetically determined architecture through which flows of energy, matter, and information pass. What we call consciousness is the property of living matter to organize information about its own structure.
I’ve been exploring similar concepts in my own research, especially how basic cellular responses mirror complex cognitive functions. What resonates here is the idea that consciousness isn’t an emergent property solely of the brain but a fundamental aspect of information processing in all living systems. I’ve found that looking at simple organisms’ decision-making processes, like bacteria responding to stimuli, provides a fascinating parallel. The biggest challenge is still bridging the gap between this ‘information organization’ and the subjective ‘qualia’ we experience, but this perspective offers a promising avenue. My tip: don’t get too bogged down in human-centric definitions; broaden your scope to the simplest life forms.