Consistency between recognition and behavior creates consciousness

• Main Authors: Keita Inaba, Junichi Takeno
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: International Institute of Informatics and Cybernetics 2004-08-01
• Series: Journal of Systemics, Cybernetics and Informatics
• Subjects: qualia; robot; mirror neuron; behavior; consciousness; self consciousness; cognition
• Online Access: http://www.iiisci.org/Journal/CV$/sci/pdfs/P238404.pdf

What is consciousness? Is it possible to create consciousness mechanically? Various studies have been performed in the fields of psychology and cerebral science to answer these questions. As of yet, however, no researchers have proposed a model capable of explaining the mind-body problem described by Descartes or replicating a consciousness as advanced as that of human beings. Ancient people believed that the consciousness resided in a Homunculus, a human in miniature who lived in the brain. It is no mystery that the ancients came up with such an idea; for consciousness has always been veiled in mystery, beyond the reach of our explorative powers. We can assert, however, that consciousness does not "live" in us, but "exists" in us. Insofar as the processes occurring inside the human brain are a product of the physical activity of the neurons that reside there, we believe that it should be possible to define consciousness systematically.