Michael Edward Johnson's Theories of Consciousness: An Overview with Focus on Vasocomputation Michael Edward Johnson is a contemporary theoretical neuroscientist known for his innovative ideas on consciousness, particularly his theory of "vasocomputation." This article provides a comprehensive overview of Johnson's key theories, with a special emphasis on vasocomputation and its potential implications. Johnson's work draws upon diverse fields, including Buddhist phenomenology, active inference, and physics, to offer a unique perspective on the nature of consciousness and its relationship to the physical world.
Overview of Michael Edward Johnson's Work Michael Edward Johnson's work primarily focuses on the nature of consciousness and its relationship to the physical world. He explores these concepts through various lenses, beginning with his foundational work on qualia and then progressing to more specific applications of his ideas:
Qualia Formalism and Symmetry Theory of Valence: Johnson has developed a new formalism for understanding qualia, the subjective qualities of experience. This formalism, which builds upon his earlier book, "Principia Qualia," provides a structured framework for analyzing and categorizing different types of qualia. In conjunction with this, he proposes a symmetry theory of valence, which explores the intrinsic attractiveness or aversiveness of experiences and how these relate to underlying symmetries in the structure of consciousness. This work represents a significant step forward in our understanding of how subjective experiences arise and how they are organized. AI Consciousness: Johnson delves into the question of whether artificial intelligence (AI) can be conscious. He argues that while AI may not be conscious in the traditional sense, computers themselves might possess a form of consciousness due to their physical properties and electromagnetic profiles. He makes a clear distinction between AI as a software construct and computers as physical entities, suggesting that consciousness may be more closely tied to the latter. In fact, he states that "computations don't have objective existence and AIs are not conscious, but computers are." Minds as Hyperspheres: This theory explores the implications of the "equal-extension thesis" for the framerate of consciousness. It delves into the idea of minds as hyperspheres and their relationship to the physical world. In this work, Johnson uses the analogy of "spherical cows and milk production" to illustrate how simplified theoretical models can be used to understand complex systems, even if those models don't perfectly capture all the details of reality. This analogy highlights the importance of abstraction and simplification in scientific inquiry, particularly when dealing with complex phenomena like consciousness. Autism as a Disorder of Dimensionality: Johnson proposes a novel perspective on autism, suggesting that it can be viewed as a disorder of dimensionality in the brain. This theory explores how the autistic brain may exhibit different connectivity patterns and dimensionality compared to neurotypical brains. This perspective suggests that autism may not simply be a deficit of certain cognitive functions, but rather a different way of organizing and processing information. Qualia Astronomy and Proof of Qualia: This work explores the possibility of detecting consciousness in extraterrestrial intelligence (SETI) by examining the likely goals and behaviors of alien civilizations. Johnson argues that any insights we can gain into the potential goals and motivations of alien civilizations will greatly aid our search for them. This approach suggests that the search for extraterrestrial intelligence should not be limited to simply looking for technological signals, but should also consider the broader context of alien consciousness and its potential manifestations. Presence Neurotechnology: Johnson investigates the concept of "presence" and its potential for technological enhancement and transmission. This involves exploring how technology can be used to enhance and transmit subjective experiences, potentially through "technology-aided direct transmission of presence." This line of inquiry has implications for fields like virtual reality, telepresence, and even the potential for direct mind-to-mind communication. Vasocomputation: A Detailed Explanation Vasocomputation, a central theme in Johnson's work, proposes that the vascular system, the network of blood vessels in the body, plays a crucial role in consciousness and cognitive processes. This theory unifies seemingly disparate concepts from Buddhist phenomenology, active inference, and physical reflexes to provide a novel framework for understanding consciousness.
Core Concepts of Vasocomputation Suffering, Tension, and Liberation: Vasocomputation offers a practical theory of suffering, tension, and liberation, drawing parallels with Buddhist philosophy. It suggests that the vascular system plays a key role in mediating these states. This connection to Buddhist thought highlights the potential for vasocomputation to provide a bridge between subjective experience and objective physiological processes. Medium-Term Memory and Bayesian Updating: Johnson posits that vasocomputation is the core mechanism for medium-term memory and Bayesian updating, a process of belief revision in light of new evidence. This suggests that the vascular system is involved in learning and adapting to new information. This implies that the vascular system may play a more active role in cognitive processes than previously thought. Sensory Types: Vasocomputation provides a description of sensory types, suggesting that individual differences in vascular function may contribute to variations in sensory experiences and preferences. This could have implications for understanding individual differences in perception, sensory sensitivities, and even aesthetic preferences. Clinically Useful Dimension of Variation and Dysfunction: Johnson suggests that vasocomputation can be a clinically useful dimension for understanding variations and dysfunctions in cognitive and emotional processing. This implies that assessing vascular function could provide valuable insights into mental health conditions. This could lead to new diagnostic tools and treatment approaches for mental health disorders. Implications of Vasocomputation The theory of vasocomputation has several potential implications:
Understanding Trauma: Johnson's theory suggests that trauma may be stored in the body through "latches" in the vascular system. This could have implications for trauma treatment, potentially leading to new therapeutic approaches that target vascular function. This could revolutionize our understanding of how trauma affects the body and mind, leading to more effective treatments for trauma-related disorders. Meditation and Wellbeing: Vasocomputation may provide a biological mechanism for the effects of meditation and other mind-body practices. By influencing vascular function, these practices could promote relaxation, reduce stress, and enhance overall well-being. This suggests that practices like meditation may have direct effects on the vascular system, leading to measurable physiological changes that contribute to improved mental and physical health. Metabolic Health: Johnson's work suggests a connection between vasocomputation and metabolic health. This implies that maintaining healthy vascular function could be crucial for both physical and mental well-being. This highlights the importance of lifestyle factors like diet and exercise in maintaining optimal vascular health, which could have far-reaching benefits for overall health and well-being. Altered States of Consciousness: According to Johnson, the voltage potential between the brainstem and brain surface may be related to vasocomputation and could be a key factor in altered states of consciousness. This suggests that changes in vascular function, potentially mediated by the brainstem, could contribute to the subjective effects of psychedelics, meditation, and other practices that induce altered states. Connections to Other Concepts Johnson's theories, particularly vasocomputation, connect to several other scientific and philosophical concepts:
Buddhist Phenomenology: Vasocomputation draws heavily on Buddhist phenomenology, particularly the concepts of suffering, impermanence, and the nature of consciousness. This connection provides a rich philosophical framework for understanding the subjective aspects of vasocomputation and its implications for human experience. Active Inference: This framework, which emphasizes the role of prediction and action in perception and cognition, is central to Johnson's theory of vasocomputation. Active inference provides a theoretical basis for understanding how the vascular system might be involved in predictive processing and the active construction of conscious experience. Physical Reflexes: Johnson integrates the concept of physical reflexes into his theory, suggesting that they are intertwined with conscious experience and vascular function. This suggests a close link between the nervous system, the vascular system, and conscious awareness. Embodied Cognition: The idea that the body plays a crucial role in shaping cognitive processes is a key theme in Johnson's work, particularly in his theory of vasocomputation. This perspective challenges traditional views of the mind as separate from the body, emphasizing the interconnectedness of mental and physical processes. Synthesis and Conclusion Michael Edward Johnson's theories offer a unique and thought-provoking perspective on the nature of consciousness. His theory of vasocomputation, in particular, provides a novel framework for understanding the relationship between the mind, body, and environment. By integrating concepts from diverse fields, Johnson challenges traditional views of consciousness and opens up new avenues for research and exploration.
While Johnson's theories are still under development and require further empirical investigation, they hold significant potential for advancing our understanding of consciousness and its implications for human health and well-being. His work has the potential to influence fields such as neuroscience, psychology, philosophy, and artificial intelligence, leading to new insights and innovations in the years to come.
Ultimately, Johnson's work points towards a more holistic and embodied understanding of consciousness, one that recognizes the crucial role of the body, particularly the vascular system, in shaping our subjective experiences. This perspective has the potential to revolutionize our understanding of the mind-body connection and pave the way for new approaches to enhancing human well-being and addressing mental health challenges.