Why Uncertainty Is Essential for Consciousness: Local Prospect Theory vs. Predictive Processing

TL;DR

The paper introduces local prospect theory, a new framework for understanding consciousness that emphasizes uncertainty and subjective experience in decision-making.

Contribution

The novel contribution is the proposal of local prospect theory as an alternative to predictive processing, emphasizing uncertainty and subjective experience in conscious decision-making.

Findings

Local prospect theory conceptualizes consciousness as a self-maintaining process of circulating neural activation.

The framework introduces entropy-based measures to quantify potential developments in conscious decision-making.

It connects Buddhist practices like mindfulness to the broadening of consciousness and de-automatization of reactions.

Abstract

We present and develop local prospect theory (LPT), a novel framework for understanding consciousness, and, in particular, subjective experience and free will. While predictive processing (PP) theories model the brain as trying to optimize the accuracy of predictions, LPT sees uncertainty as an essential feature of conscious decision-making. This is achieved by creating a “local prospect”—a range of potential developments colored by subjective experience from which an agent can freely choose how to react. Drawing on global workspace theory, LPT conceptualizes consciousness as a self-maintaining process of circulating neural activation, creating a temporary working memory where thoughts and feelings coming from different brain modules enter into an asynchronous, non-linear interaction. This contrasts with unconscious processes, which operate automatically and deterministically. LPT proposes entropy-based measures, including the determination of actions by conditions and the breadth of prospect, to quantify the range of potential developments considered. This framework allows us to understand Buddhist practices and concepts, such as mindfulness, liberation from attachments, and meditation, which broaden consciousness and de-automatize reactions by reducing the influence of conditioning. The proposed prospect measure may be operationalized by indicators such as the variety of action, breadth of perception, and unpredictability of behavior, thus allowing for the empirical testing of the theory.

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