Seminar: What is a Mind? Explaining Consciousness and Acquisition of the Self-Model. Peter G Burton PhD, Honorary Fellow, SJQL Flagship Australian Catholic University-Melbourne Hosts: Professor Marcelo Stamm / Leila Toiviainen Place & Time: School of Philosophy University of Tasmania 3.00pm Wednesday 13 August 2008 (or other week at this time) Abstract:
If providing a scientific account for the subjective phenomenon of consciousness has proven a major challenge, explaining the logically ‘impossible’ yet empirically obvious emergence of an objective self-model (the psyche we come to inhabit) from within the subjective experience of that consciousness clearly requires some new perspective on human higher brain function.
Cognitive System Theory (CST) by the author has been developed as an integrated theory of human higher brain function (HBF). The complex dynamic system interpretation of consciousness which arises in CST allows it to be naturalised in the brain and, in passing, provides a neat scientific resolution of Descartes’ mind-brain ‘duality’ problem. Careful analysis of the cognitive emergence of self-attributes following structured (indexed) and differential learning within consciousness provides a basis for the subsequent operational composition of a unified self-model. The ab initio principles upon which to mindlessly establish the self-model constitute a basis for subsequent ownership of further abstract knowledge, so providing insight into the operation of the mind itself. CST exposes methodological limitations variously in conventional philosophical analysis, in brain imaging and in cognitive science modelling of the brain, but appears to provide a fertile basis for its deeper comprehension through future investigation of the many questions it raises.
[ref: http://homepage.mac.com/blinkcentral ]