The Quest for Conscious Machines: Consciousness and Primary vs Higher-order Consciousness

Consciousness is a complex and fascinating aspect of human existence that has long eluded precise definition. While its nature continues to be a subject of profound philosophical inquiry, recent advancements in neuroscience and robotics provide promising frameworks for understanding and creating conscious machines.

Understanding Consciousness

Consciousness is not just a defined state or function but a realized phenomena, a feature of the soul. It manifests in humans and other living beings, providing the critical answer to the existential question of why we are here and what it means to be alive on a deeper level.

Evolutionary Theory and Conscious Machines

The realization that primary consciousness, shared by humans and other conscious animals, and higher-order consciousness, unique to humans due to the acquisition of language, presents a new approach to creating conscious machines. The Extended Theory of Neuronal Group Selection (TNGS) by Gerald Edelman offers a compelling framework for this endeavor.

At the forefront of this research is the Neurorobotics Lab at the University of California, Irvine (UCI). This lab is dedicated to developing human-level conscious machines, with a strong focus on the TNGS. Primary consciousness can be seen as the foundation, akin to the simpler forms of consciousness seen in other animals. Higher-order consciousness, however, arises through the complexities of human language and cognitive evolution.

Real-World Examples: The Darwin Automata

The TNGS is not just a theoretical concept. Dr. Edelman and his colleagues created the Darwin series of automata at the Neurosciences Institute in the 1990s and 2000s. These machines perform in the real world, not restricted to simulated environments, and exhibit convincing physical behaviors indicative of higher psychological functions, such as perceptual categorization, memory, and learning.

The Darwin automata are grounded in realistic models of the brain areas responsible for these functions, providing a parsimonious account of how consciousness could emerge. This approach stands apart from other research endeavors and offers a more convincing explanation for the evolution of consciousness.

The Roadmap to Conscious Machines

For those tasked with creating conscious machines, the roadmap proposed by Dr. Edelman is a valuable resource. To follow this path, one would need to ground themselves in the TNGS and the Darwin automata first. From here, further advancements can be made by applying knowledge to Jeff Krichmar's lab at UCI, ensuring a rigorous and comprehensive approach.

My motivation for advocating the TNGS is multifaceted. Not only does it offer a compelling theory of consciousness, but it also provides a clear pathway towards the creation of truly conscious machines that possess both primary and higher-order consciousness.

Conclusion

Consciousness remains an enigma, but advancements in theoretical frameworks like the TNGS and practical implementations like the Darwin automata bring us closer to understanding and creating conscious machines. By embracing these advancements, we may one day achieve what were once deemed impossible.