Pan-aware Emergence

1
Pan-aware Emergence

• Anand Rangarajan
• anand_at_cise.ufl.edu
• Dept. of Computer Information Science and
  Engineering
• Univ. of Florida

2
Overview

• Phenomenology
• Meditative phenomenology
• Pan-aware emergence ontology
• Ontology of subjects
• The combination problem
• Representation A probabilistic model
• Hierarchical frames
• Constraints
• Conclusions

3
Meditative Phenomenology

• Mindfulness Awareness completely focused at
  center of phenomenon.
• One pointedness, no split mind.
• Non-referential awareness Awareness zooms out
  and is radically decentered.
• Pure consciousness event (PCE), nirvikalpa
  samadhi.
• Controversial.
• Hindu and Buddhist philosophical schools
  longstanding debate over interpretation.

4
Ontology

• Agree with Strawson (JCS, 64, 1999) When
  awareness present, a subject exists.
• When I am aware, I am.
• Fundamental level
• Subjects.
• Intersubjective phenomenal content.
• Awareness NOT cognitive.
• Reminiscent of pan proto-psychism.

5
Representation
Subjects and intersubjective network modeled as
directed graph
Phenomenology rides on topology. Connection
directions indicate propagation of influence.
6
The Combination Problem

• How does phenomenology add up?
• What about awareness of mid-level subjects
  James 1890, Seager - JCS 23?
• Intersubjective phenomenal content at mid-level?
• Quantum coherence etc. suggested as objective
  criteria.
• Look at awareness very carefully.

7
Structure of awareness
One-pointedness mode
Decentered mode
Phenomenological clue to combination problem.
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Combination principle?

• Awareness binds configuration of lower level
  subjects
• Binding can range from one-pointed focus to a
  decentered zoomed out focus.
• Binding is dynamic Tacit spacetime assumptions
  Rosenberg thesis, 1997.
• Basic idea Weighted configuration of subjects
  Higher-level subject.

9
Representation
Topology connects higher level subject with
lower level subjects possibility space
Rosenberg 1997. Momentary awareness
weighted combination of lower-level subjects.
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Awareness Operator

• Awareness operator in configuration space.
• Example Low-level subjects -
• Example Compound subject.
• One very simple example shown above.
• Higher-level subject Weighted combination in
  configuration space.
• Phenomenal qualities not present in definition.

11
Pan-aware emergence

• Lower levels have to be probabilistic in order
  for higher levels to exist.
• Emergent properties/laws at higher levels as long
  as lower levels allow it.
• Modeled as a probabilistic (Bayesian?) network
  Pearl 2001.
• Higher level imposes further constraints not
  present at lower levels Wilber, SES 1995.
• Spacetime issues?

12
Probabilistic model
Interior compound subjects and intersubjective
content. Exterior probabilistic network,
constraints.
Higher level subjects are momentary binding via
configuration space awareness operator.
13
Emergent Constraints

• Higher-level constraints must be compatible with
  lower-level constraints.
• Emergent laws/properties.
• Rule Coyotes hunt and eat roadrunners.

Cheers Season 2, 14, Overall episode 84. Cliff
to Woody, He wants that particular
Roadrunner.
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Why Pan-aware Emergence?

• Panpsychism Biased toward cognition,
  consciousness.
• Pan-experientialism Griffin Problem with
  language events, processes, occasions.
• Awareness Somewhat neutral and differentiated
  from self-awareness.
• Emergence Higher level constraints crucial.
• Probabilistic model is basic.

15
Conclusions

• When I am aware, I am.
• Combination problem Clues from phenomenology.
• Awareness operator - higher-level subjects.
• Distinction between ontology and representation.
• No a priori commitment to dual-aspect theory.
• Probabilistic hierarchical model with emergent
  constraints.

16
Phenomenology

• Migraine headaches Reliable and repeatable
  phenomena.
• Two distinct modes of awareness
• Awareness concentrated at center of migraine.
• Awareness detaches and is decentered.
• Oscillation between modes.
• Loss of awareness.

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Intersubjectivity

• Hargenss JCS, 812 (2001) taxonomy
• Intersubjectivity as spirit. Transcendental.
• Intersubjectivity as context Mesh.
• Intersubjectivity as resonance
• Worldspace. Ontological Empathy, Zelig.
• Worldview Epistemological Culture.
• Intersubjectivity as relationship
• It-It, I-It, I-I.

18
Representation

• Taking van Gulicks JCS, 89-10 distinction
  between ontology and representation seriously.
• Different from most standard ontologies.

Ontology Subjects Intersubjectivity Phenomenal
content Compound subject Momentary awareness
Representation Objects Relations Properties Part
/whole relation Processes