A theory of consciousness from a theoretical computer science perspective: Insights from the Conscious Turing Machine
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America July 29, 2021 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2115934119 via Semantic Scholar
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractA theoretical computer science perspective can deepen understanding of consciousness. The Conscious Turing Machine (CTM) is a simple, substrate-independent computational model for defining and exploring consciousness, analogous to how the Turing machine models computation. The CTM is not a model of the brain or cognition but offers a framework using computational complexity theory and machine learning. This paper introduces the approach, demonstrates its possibilities, and aims to stimulate research on consciousness from a theoretical computer science viewpoint.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Keywords | Medicine Computer science Biology Philosophy |
| Key finding | The Conscious Turing Machine provides a simple computational model for exploring consciousness, analogous to the Turing machine for computation. |
Abstract
Significance This paper provides evidence that a theoretical computer science (TCS) perspective can add to our understanding of consciousness by providing a simple framework for employing tools from computational complexity theory and machine learning. Just as the Turing machine is a simple model to define and explore computation, the Conscious Turing Machine (CTM) is a simple model to define and explore consciousness (and related concepts). The CTM is not a model of the brain or cognition, nor is it intended to be, but a simple substrate-independent computational model of (the admittedly complex concept of) consciousness. This paper is intended to introduce this approach, show its possibilities, and stimulate research in consciousness from a TCS perspective.