Consciousness: perspectives from symbolic and connectionist AI

Neuropsychologia. 1995 Sep;33(9):1075-86. doi: 10.1016/0028-3932(95)00049-9.

Abstract

While consciousness has not been a major concern of most AI researchers, some theorists have tried to explore how computational models might explain consciousness. I explore how far computational models might go in explaining consciousness, focusing on three aspects of conscious mental states: their intrinsic intentionality, the awareness a subject has of the contents of these intentional states, and the distinctive qualitative character of these states. I describe and evaluate strategies for developing connectionist systems that satisfy these aspects of consciousness.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Artificial Intelligence*
  • Awareness / physiology*
  • Consciousness / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Motivation
  • Neural Networks, Computer*
  • Psychophysiology
  • Symbolism*