Three levels of information processing in the brain

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Information Theory
• Physics

Background:

• Information processing in the brain occurs at multiple levels, including digital computations (DC) and neural network computations (NNC).
• Subjective consciousness and qualia represent a third, less understood level of information processing.
• Current physical theories struggle to explain the existence and function of qualia.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose a theoretical framework for understanding consciousness within physical laws.
• To explain subjective consciousness and qualia as a product of entropy dissipation.
• To differentiate qualia-associated computations (QAC) from DC and NNC.

Main Methods:

• Theoretical modeling of information processing in the brain.
• Conceptualizing consciousness as a consequence of entropy dissipation.
• Comparing qualia-associated computations (QAC) with digital computations (DC) and neural network computations (NNC).

Main Results:

• Consciousness is proposed as an extension of physical laws, specifically total entropy dissipation leading to system simplification.
• The brain converts neural information into a simpler, compact form (qualia) through this process.
• Qualia-associated computations (QAC) enable the recognition of general laws and relationships, unlike approximate DC and NNC.

Conclusions:

• Consciousness, through qualia, allows for a deeper understanding of general laws than artificial intelligence.
• Qualia-associated computations (QAC) provide a significant advantage for cognitive tasks and behavioral programming.
• This entropy-driven model offers a new perspective on the physical basis of subjective experience.