Elucidation of the Concept of Consciousness from the Theory of Non-Human Communication Agents

TL;DR

This paper explores the concept of consciousness in non-human communication agents through various theoretical frameworks, aiming to develop ethical and pragmatic approaches for designing and interacting with these systems.

Contribution

It integrates multiple theories of consciousness to challenge traditional views and proposes new frameworks for understanding agency in non-human communication agents.

Findings

Consciousness can be viewed as an emergent phenomenon of complex computational systems.

Relational and post-phenomenological perspectives offer new insights into non-human agency.

The integration of theories questions traditional concepts like autonomy and freedom.

Abstract

This article focuses on elucidating the concept of consciousness from a relational and post-phenomenological theory of non-human communication agents (ANHC). Specifically, we explore the contributions of Thomas Metzinger s Self Model Theory, Katherine Hayles conceptualizations of non-conscious cognitive processes centered on knowledge processing phenomena shared between biological and technical systems and Lenore and Manuel Blum s theoretical perspective on computation, which defines consciousness as an emergent phenomenon of complex computational systems, arising from the appropriate organization of their inorganic materiality. Building on interactions with non-human cognitive agents, among other factors, the explainability of sociotechnical systems challenges the humanistic common sense of modern philosophy and science. This critical integration of various approaches ultimately questions other concepts associated with consciousness, such as autonomy, freedom, and mutual responsibility. The aim is to contribute to a necessary discussion for designing new frameworks of understanding that pave the way toward an ethical and pragmatic approach to addressing contemporary challenges in the design, regulation, and interaction with ANHC. Such frameworks, in turn, enable a more inclusive and relational understanding of agency in an interconnected world.