Consciousness is inference (Friston)

[1] We are thrown ito the world [out there] as a PROCESS already in motion
1. Processes that matter here: PROCESSES making up COMPLEX SYSTEMS
[2] Knowing LYAPUNOV FUNCTION [LF] for each state of a system --> know flow of the system between states
1. Example: water stream through a mountainous landscape
  1. Lyapunov function: montainous landscape
  2. Description of evolution of system: movement of stream of water
[3] COMPLEX SYSTEMS use their LF FUNCTION to move towards ATTRACTORS (small number of most probable states)
1. = repetitive, SELF-ORGANISING behavior
2. COMPLEX SYSTEMS are SELF-ORGANISING because they have ATTRACTORS
  1. ATTRACTORS: cycles of mutually reinforcing states allowing PROCESSES to reach a DYNAMIC EQUILIBRIUM
[4] HUMANS = "strange loops" or "playful loops" (Douglas Hofstader)
1. We move through an enormous, high-dimensional state-space of possibilities, but are forced by our ATTRACTORS to move around in confined circles (= pattern of trajectory of an automn leave falling)
  1. To be ALIVE --> all our PROCESSES must DECREASE the LF --> pushing as to ATTRACTORS
    1. Our PROCESSES = thoughts & behaviors
2. HUMANS = COMPLEX SYSTEM with a set of ATTRACTING STATES
[5] Interpretations of LF
1. I) from INFORMATION TH.
  1. LF = SURPRISE
2. II) from STATISTICS
  1. LF = (NEGATIVE) EVIDENCE
    1. = MARGINAL LIKELIHOOD
      1. = probablity that a given model acounting for that state is correct
        = staying alive --> II) we increase our model evidence (SELF-EVIDENCING) = minimise surprise
3. [6] --> EXISTENTIAL DYNAMICS with PURPOSE & TELEOLOGY
  1. INFERENCE = maximising evidence for a model of the world (for me!)
    1. The model is OURSELVES! (i.e. we evaluate what the world might be doing to us)
    2. INFERENCE: what any COMPLEX PROCESS repeatedly occuppying certain states performs
      1. [6.1] INFERENCE in NATURAL SELECTION: SELECTING among CREATURES
        Example [evolution in terms of inference]: PHENOTYPES of a population (of a species) = multiple HYPOTESIS OR MODELS about what might 'work'
        EACH INDIVIDUAL = MODEL of what should occupy the corresponding ecological niche
  2. INFERENCE: process of figuring out the best hypothesis that explains the observed states of the SYSTEM we call the WORLD
[7] INFERENCE IN CONSCIOUSNESS
1. Conscious processing: inferring the causes of sensory states
  1. --> navigate the wold to elude surprise
2. --> SELECTING among different STATES of the same creature (in particular, its brain)
  1. brain = self-evidencing organ of inference
3. Conscious vs non-conscious creatures
  1. how they make inferences about ACTION & TIME
    1. To determine a future action, the system must have internal models with TEMPORAL THICKNESS
      1. --> COUNTERFACTUAL DEPTH
      2. Future action --> minimisation of EXPECTED surprise following the action
    2. VIRUSES are unconscious: they don't have a THICK MODEL OF TIME
4. CONSCIOUSNESS = inference about my future

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Consciousness is inference (Friston)

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