The Cognitive Approach to Conscious Machines

Pentti O. Haikonen

Could a machine have an immaterial mind? The author argues that true conscious machines can be built, but rejects artificial intelligence and classical neural networks in favour of the emulation of the cognitive processes of the brain—the flow of inner speech, inner imagery and emotions. This results in a non-numeric meaning-processing machine with distributed information representation and system reactions. It is argued that this machine would be conscious; it would be aware of its own existence and its mental content and perceive this as immaterial. This work presents innovative views of consciousness and the mind–body problem, and it is a must for anyone interested in consciousness research and the latest ideas in the forthcoming technology of mind.

"This book is an important attack on the problem of machine consciousness, based on general perceptual modes of human brain processing. It's concise sentences and broad coverage propel the reader towards the powerful vision of the author, that of a complex but comprehendable inner architecture required for creating some level of consciousness in a machine, one undoubtedly standing at the portals of awareness. A 'must' for those concerned with consciousness in all its ramifications." Prof. John G. Taylor, Dept. of Mathematics, King's College London

"The book is well-written, approachable and relatively non-technical, laying down a comprehensive background before adding novel views on consciousness and the mind-body problem. Novices will receive a good introduction to AI, while experts can muse on new ideas related to consciousness and technology of the mind." Research News & Opportunities in Science and Technology, May 2003.

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• Part I - Thinking and Computation
  • Good Old-Fashioned Artificial Intelligence
  • Artificial Neural Networks to the Rescue
• Part II - Cognition and Consciousness
  • Cognition and Perception
  • Learning, Reasoning, and Intelligence
  • Emotions and Cognition
  • Language and Thought
  • Consciousness
• Part III - Technology of the Mind
  • Machine Models for Cognition and Consciousness
  • Representation of Information
  • Artificial Associative Neurons and Neuron Groups
  • Models for Machine Perception Processes
  • A Cognitive Machine Architecture
  • Models for Motor Functions
  • Machine Emotions
  • Language and Inner Speech
  • Inner Imagery and Thinking
  • Machine Consciousness
  • Consciousness Technology and Final Questions

· ISBN 0-907845-42-8 · Published June 2003 by Imprint Academic · Paperback · 283 pages · $29.90 ·

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