Kenneth Williford - The Projective Consciousness Model: Phenomenological Prolegomena

Summary

This talk explores a novel approach to understanding consciousness through the Projective Consciousness Model (PCM). The model emphasizes the importance of phenomenology and function, incorporating elements like subjective character, self-consciousness, and intersubjectivity. It highlights how the structure of phenomenal space can be understood using projective geometry, allowing for insights into action planning, perspective shifts, and multimodal integration. The discussion also touches on atypical experiences such as out-of-body and autoscopic phenomena, as well as the role of projective imagination in cognitive processes, with implications for social behavior and real-world interaction.

Takeaways

• 😀 The theory of Consciousness should start with data characterization, which includes subjective character, phenomenology, and the integration of modalities into a unified space.
• 😀 Consciousness models without phenomenology are blind, as they fail to specify the right level of abstraction or define the target of the study.
• 😀 Consciousness models without functional roles are empty, as they do not offer empirical testing or explain how Consciousness generates behavior.
• 😀 A good model of Consciousness must incorporate global phenomenological invariants and explain how they impact action generation in an empirically testable way.
• 😀 Even if one believes in panpsychism or the fundamental nature of qualia, understanding the overall structure of human consciousness through models can still be beneficial.
• 😀 The Projective Consciousness Model posits that phenomenal space is structured by projective geometry, with implications for subjective character, self-consciousness, and intersubjectivity.
• 😀 Points of view are integral to the structure of consciousness, and inner subjectivity is grounded in the reciprocity of perspectives, allowing for the recognition of others' perspectives.
• 😀 The model emphasizes the importance of geometrical components in shaping qualitative experience, especially in terms of relations and transformations of objects within one's perception.
• 😀 Projective imagination plays a key role in action planning and control, allowing individuals to mentally imagine and optimize perspectives for functional tasks.
• 😀 The model connects phenomenology and function by showing how the structure of consciousness facilitates action in the real world, including social interactions and navigation through space.

Q & A

What is the Projective Consciousness Model (PCM)?

The Projective Consciousness Model (PCM) proposes that phenomenal space is structured by projective geometry in three dimensions. This model attempts to account for the subjective character, self-consciousness, intersubjectivity, and how these phenomena are structured and integrated within human consciousness.

How does PCM integrate phenomenology with function?

PCM integrates phenomenology with function by emphasizing that the structure of consciousness, particularly its projective geometric nature, plays a key role in guiding behavior. The model suggests that conscious experience impacts action planning and control, which has functional relevance for organisms navigating the world.

What is the role of projective geometry in PCM?

In PCM, projective geometry provides a framework for understanding how subjective experience is structured. It helps explain the formation of points of view, the concept of self-consciousness, and the possibility of intersubjectivity, with the geometry offering a way to understand the relational aspects of consciousness.

What does the concept of intersubjectivity mean in PCM?

In PCM, intersubjectivity refers to the shared experience of different points of view. The model suggests that for consciousness to be fully realized, there must be a space in which multiple points of view are possible. This relational aspect underpins our ability to relate to others' perspectives.

What is the significance of reciprocity in the context of PCM?

Reciprocity in PCM refers to the idea that every point of view in phenomenal space can also be the point of view of another. This concept supports the model’s account of intersubjectivity, where different subjects' perspectives are inherently linked, allowing for mutual understanding and shared experience.

What are the main functional roles of consciousness according to PCM?

According to PCM, the main functional role of consciousness is to facilitate action planning and control. This is achieved through projective imagination, where individuals can mentally simulate different perspectives and anticipate functional outcomes, such as optimizing their actions in the environment.

How does PCM explain the phenomenology of atypical or ambiguous experiences like out-of-body experiences?

PCM suggests that atypical experiences, such as out-of-body experiences or hutoscopy (seeing oneself from a different perspective), can be explained by the flexibility of the projective geometry of phenomenal space. These phenomena involve shifts or ambiguities in the origin of experience, allowing for the possibility of seeing oneself from an external viewpoint.

How does PCM connect to evolutionary biology?

PCM connects to evolutionary biology by suggesting that the ability to project and simulate different points of view is essential for survival. For example, predators benefit from optimizing vantage points, and prey need to hide from predators. This ability to navigate and manipulate perspectives is deeply ingrained in our evolutionary development.

What does the speaker mean by 'relationality' in consciousness?

Relationality in consciousness refers to the fundamental subject-object structure of experience. Consciousness is seen as relational because every experience involves a subject (the self) interacting with objects (phenomena or the external world). This relational framework is crucial for understanding consciousness as an experience that is always tied to both the self and the world around it.

How does PCM contribute to understanding self-consciousness?

PCM contributes to the understanding of self-consciousness by utilizing the properties of projective geometry, particularly the reciprocity property. This helps explain how self-consciousness is not just introspection but is rooted in the relational nature of consciousness, where individuals are inherently aware of their own point of view and can recognize others' perspectives as well.