OPERATIONAL CONSCIOUSNESS

Consciousness is not a State of Mind. It is a Procedure. It is not an optional extra. It is an indispensible and integral part of any system, biological or artificial, which has a high level of intelligence. You can order this book from any good bookseller who will know how to obtain it. But make a note of the ISBN number 0953508951 and use that number to ask for the book See below for alternative (and preferred) method of purchase/delivery. To get a flavour of the arguments presented in the book you can read the INTRODUCTION. A short essay entitled Why Zombie-ism is Impossible and by the author of this book, is also available..

Operational Consciousness is a procedure which operates in our brains. In this book, Hugh Noble provides a detailed functional model of that procedure. The model consists of not one, but five semi-independent layers. Layer-1 is an stimulus-response automaton. Layer-2 constructs a memory using the data provided by layer-1. Layer-3 analyses the data provided by layer-2 and extracts from it, complex structures or concepts. Layer-4 extends the formation of concepts to include a theory of mind structure and also a theory of self-mind. Layer-5 utilises these concept structures for the processing and understanding of language. The term ‘operational consciousness’ describes the operation of layers 1 to 4. Layer-5, however, is required to prove that the system is conscious. Noble then argues that operational consciousness accounts for the totality of our conscious experience. His explanation not only encompasses the normal and various forms of consciousness such as wakefulness, self-consciousness and dream-sleep consciousness, but it also provides an explanation of why the intuition that consciousness is something other than a simple physical mechanism, is such a powerful and prevalent illusion. In the final section of the book, he explores briefly the far reaching implications of his theory. These include a form of realism which he calls Expedient Reality, a relative theory of Truth, and a personalist view of probability, determinism. and free will. NOTE You may view the INTRODUCTION to the book. You can also read a short essay by the author, entitled Why Zombie-ism is Impossible. The essay does not appear in the book, but it is based on similar ideas.

Purchase/delivery info You can purchased directly from ourselves at Tartan Hen Publications. Send a cheque for 14.45 pounds sterling (or the equivalent in any easily converted currency) with your full postal address to Tartan Hen Publications Creachan, Portnacroish Appin, Argyll, PA38 4BN Scotland (UK) We will print a copy of the book for you and despatch it to you normally within 2 weeks and usually a lot more quickly than that. (postage free, anywhere) Book Details Hardback, 144 pp Price 14.45 pounds sterling ISBN 0-9535089-5-1 Publication date 1st May 2005