The Perceptual Reality Monitoring Theory of Consciousness
Hakwan Lau

April 7, 2021, 8:00am - 10:00am
Rice University

Houston
United States

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What :: Hakwan Lau, “The Perceptual Reality Monitoring Theory of Consciousness”

When :: 7 April, 12 noon in Houston, 10h in Los Angeles

Where :: https://riceuniversity.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJ0ocO2rpzstHtajAoMTFMUSPF0ws11PRN_8 (Passcode: "Premise1")


Abstract

I will give some arguments for a version of a higher-order perceptual (aka inner-sense) theory of subjective experience, based on known neurophysiology and current algorithms of artificial intelligence. Unlike some higher-order theories, my view is that the nature of first-order representations, and the ways they are targeted by higher-order mechanisms, are important for determining the qualitative character of experience. The fact that these first-order representations are analog (in some specific ways) makes plausible a type of structural/relational/holistic view, such as mental quality space theory. I will make use of cases such as the olfactory system in fruit flies, and color vision in mantis shrimps, to highlight what is special about the mammalian sensory cortex. The ways sensory neurons are physically wired and laid out matter, but they ultimately matter for functional reasons. In sum, this provides a middle position, synthesizing the advantages of more extreme views such as the global workspace theory, or localist biopsychic/panpsychic views.

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