GOLEM-NEODE Theory AXIOMS
We start by constructing as simple a model of the brain as possible, using a general principle known as Ockam's Razor- (OZ). This principle is also the reason Noam Chomsky titled his most recent publication 'the Minimalist Program'. His choice of title is a tangential reference to the rational minimalism mandated by use of OZ.
Ockam's Razor- the use of the simplest model consistent with data- sound science principle #1.
From 'Neuroanatomy 101', we see that, by and large, spinal input (sensory) data ascends dorsally while spinal output (motor) data descends ventrally. The generic term used to describe parallel counterflow data (or fluid) flow is 'duplex'[1]. This was suggested as a model for the animal (and human) brain in the mid to late 19th and early 20th Century. It provided the conceptual framework upon which William James was able to develop the Common Coding idea, generally, and the Perceptual Common Coding principle, specifically. The PCC principle is the most widespread central nervous system paradigm in nature, and in technology, but this fact is so often not well understood because it is the default (the alternatives are manifestly unfeasible). Uexkull's 'cirkreis' with its input channel (merkorgan) and output channel (wirkorgan) is another example of a two channel theory from the same historical period, late 19th/ early 20th century.
Ensure that cause and effect are represented and linked in the model - sound science principle #2.
Due to the anodyne nature of the two channel model, cause is uncontroversially allocated to the output (motor) channel, while its effects appear in the input (sensor) channel -see Figure 1 below.
Figure 1 depicts a canonical, yet inclusive, two-channel cognitive process loop. OZ is satisfied. Cause and effect are sensibly allocated, with causes originating in the output ('motor') channel giving rise to effects that are monitored (fed back) by the input ('sensor') channel. Jakob von Uexkull's 'Cirkreis' diagram is included for comparison. This theory leads to a minimalist paradigm- Mental causes are emotions, mental effects are percepts (building blocks of conscious experiences). [2]
Both channels mediate between the concrete, physical events that take place in the 'real' (external, objective) world and the abstract, metaphysical (qualiate, phenomenal) events that take place in the 'ideal' (internal, subjective) self-world, or 'mind', the only difference being the direction of data flow. Therefore, both channels need to contain hierarchies which mediate between concrete and abstract event types.
(I) The task of the input channel is to learn about, and then understand the situations that the creature is in. We assume that a 'has-a' hierarchy possesses the required properties. In this type of hierarchy, simple 'lower' data units are combined (as types) into complex 'upper' ones, as shown in the figure below.
(II) The task of the output channel is to manipulate, and then exploit the situations that the creature is in, with self-motion and posture control being the primary techniques used to achieve this. We assume that a 'is-a' hierarchy (as per object-oriented computer programming) possesses the required properties. In this type of hierarchy, complex 'upper' data units are reproduced (as tokens) when required at lower levels, as shown in the figure below.
