Many theories, based on neuroscientific and psychological empirical evidence and on computational concepts, have been elaborated to explain the emergence of consciousness in the central nervous system. These theories propose key fundamental mechanisms to explain consciousness, but they only partially connect such mechanisms to the possible functional and adaptive role of consciousness. Recently, some cognitive and neuroscientific models try to solve this gap by linking consciousness to various aspects of goal-directed behaviour, the pivotal cognitive process that allows mammals to flexibly act in challenging environments. Here we propose the Representation Internal-Manipulation (RIM) theory of consciousness, a theory that links the main elements of consciousness theories to components and functions of goal-directed behaviour, ascribing a central role for consciousness to the goal-directed manipulation of internal representations. This manipulation relies on four specific computational operations to perform the flexible internal adaptation of all key elements of goal-directed computation, from the representations of objects to those of goals, actions, and plans. Finally, we propose the concept of `manipulation agency' relating the sense of agency to the internal manipulation of representations. This allows us to propose that the subjective experience of consciousness is associated to the human capacity to generate and control a simulated internal reality that is vividly perceived and felt through the same perceptual and emotional mechanisms used to tackle the external world.
翻译:许多理论基于神经科学和心理经验证据以及计算概念,旨在解释中枢神经系统意识的出现,这些理论提出了解释意识的关键基本机制,但只是部分地将这种机制与意识的可能功能和适应作用联系起来。最近,一些认知和神经科学模型试图通过将意识与目标导向行为的各个方面联系起来来弥补这一差距,这种关键认知过程使哺乳动物能够在具有挑战性的环境中灵活地采取行动。我们在这里提出了“代表内部调节(RIM)意识理论”,这种理论将意识理论的主要内容与目标导向行为的组成部分和功能联系起来,将意识的核心作用与目标导向的内部表现的操纵联系起来。这种操纵依靠四种具体的计算操作,以便对目标导向的计算的所有关键要素进行灵活的内部调整,从目标导向行为、行动和计划的目标对象的表述,到使哺乳动物能够在具有挑战性的环境中灵活地行动。最后,我们提出“调节机构”概念,将机构感知感与内部操纵行为联系起来。这使我们能够提出,意识的主观体验与以目标导向为导向的外部机制,通过感官和感官感知到的内在意识,通过模拟世界的感官和感官感官意识,形成和感官世界。