Abstract: Stratium is a theory of mind as a multi-tiered system adding layers of meaning. There is no homunculus to read the result, making it necessary to say that these levels themselves read their constitution and “thicken”, degree by degree, the phenomenon called “consciousness”. To this teleological and functional theory is added an ontological theory, showing how the networks are anatomically concentrated at the base of the neural hierarchy, and very dispersed at the upper levels. ‘Stratium’ is a contraction of ‘strata’ and ‘atrium’.
Neuroscience
Feeling and knowing, by Antonio Damasio
Finally something new? I grasped Antonio Damasio’s latest book with great excitement. Judge instead! In subtitle: “Making minds conscious“. What could be more enticing for the one who has been waiting for the explanation for a very long time, desperate to the point of having developed his own theory? I dive. I soon become disillusioned. … Read more
Decryption: the intention
How do our mental representations become intentions? For a materialist scientist, sensory data transformed into mental patterns is not a hard problem. Neurons modify the tree structure of dendrites and synaptic values to establish a symbolic code of the objects presented to the senses. The sight of an apple activates a specific pattern. The brain … Read more
Dear Reward Circuit
Pure altruism does not exist When I transmit information on the net, do I do so out of altruism, for the simple pleasure of spreading knowledge? I would like to be selfless, but no. ‘Simple pleasure’ is far more important than it seems. I seek to stimulate my reward circuits. Without this initial starter, I … Read more
The brain, this fabulator
Holes in experience are intolerable The section of the corpus callosum, this thick neural cable that unites the two cerebral hemispheres, has been performed in very severe forms of epilepsy. Side effect: the operated person ends up with two effector consciousnesses. Right and left hemibody are potentially autonomous. But they are still firmly attached, along … Read more
Awakening, consciousness, synchronization
Awake without being conscious? It is possible. Situation of the epileptic in grand mal seizure. He is apparently awake but absent, uncontrolled, left to autonomous muscle spasms. Conversely, consciousness is impossible without awakening. These statements attribute to consciousness two additional conditions, in addition to awakening: 1) Mind control over the body and the environment. 2) … Read more
Discern fantastic characters in trees or clouds
The perception of the occult? In the Middle Ages, this faculty made its bearer suspect of witchcraft. It is not so widespread. Alive during youth it is often lost in adults. Because it would be too rarely used? Doubtful. It does not involve reflection. The clues propose themselves to our consciousness. They come from the … Read more
Intelligence
Multiplying the intelligences does not say what unites them By reducing the scope of IQ to appreciate intelligence, and by multiplying its varieties, has we not aggravated the opacity that surrounds the concept? Indeed, by what are the different intelligences brought together? If we specialize them too much, should we not already recognize that, in … Read more