An Integrative Neurological Model Of Consciousness:
The case for quantum-determinism

Ian R. Weinberg, M.B.,Bch. F.C.S. (Neuro)
Claudius P. van Wyk, MPrac. (N.L.P.)


ABSTRACT: Traditional models of consciousness have been based within the Newtonian domain. At this stage it becomes necessary to apply the fundamental concepts of quantum physics to the neurological process. In this way the emerging model begins to encompass a far greater spectrum of the extended environment and its dynamic processes. By re- applying classical anatomical and physiological principles and extrapolating to higher levels of neurological function, a new unifying model emerges.

KEY WORDS: Triangular/conical neuronal integration, quantum of consciousness, quantum-determinism

INTRODUCTION:

Current theories of consciousness span the full spectrum of scientific study from microsomal neural studies to quantum hypotheses. At this time it becomes essential to integrate the realm of quantum physics with fundamental neurological function. Furthermore microsomal studies have tended to adhere to neo-Darwinian evolutionary principles (the cause and effect principles of Newtonian physics) as the mechanism of neuronal development. Adhering to mechanistic approaches will necessarily restrict current models of consciousness to the classical Cartesian domain. It continues to beg the question of where brain ends and mind begins in the context of the greater reality of time, space and energy - a problem already identified by Plato!

HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE

Classification of behaviour remains an abstract reconstruction of a repeated event involving participants in an identifiable activity. This activity includes learning the moves, and labelling the process. Ernst Haeckel's declaration that "ontogeny recapitulates phylogeny" was an attempt to introduce the concept of iterative learning into evolutionary developmental biology. Herein he supported Lamarck's observation that plants and animals develop characteristics required for continued existence. Lamarck in his fourth law postulated the inherited effects of use and disuse - the inheritance of acquired characters. In his second law he stated that that development which is required by circumstance will appear. Let us hold this as a possible framework, together with quantum principles, for considering the physiology of consciousness.

We will begin by extrapolating processes occurring at the primary cortical areas of function (primary sensory areas) to areas of higher function (association areas). By utilising both mechanistic and quantum perspectives we will attempt to demonstrate new possibilities regarding the neurodynamic basis for consciousness.



THE QUANTUM UNIT OF CONSCIOUSNESS:

The proposed concept of a unit of consciousness is best illustrated by observing the process taking place at one of the primary sensory areas of the brain. For the purpose of this discussion let us re-examine the events occurring in a sensory area such as the primary visual cortex. Consider the eye receiving signals from a square with four sides respectively labelled A, B, C, and D. The light and colour sensitive retina transduces the information into electro-chemical activity which is conveyed along the optic nerve to the primary visual cortex. At the primary visual area a process takes place at which the electro-chemical information is synthesised into a neural representation of the square which is now subjectively observed.

Further clarification of micro-anatomical process was provided by Hubel and Wiesel who identified simple cells, complex cells and hypercomplex cells. Frisby (1980) argued that feature detecting cells register the basic building blocks of perception and that the brain assembles the blocks into a coherent picture of complex stimuli. This involves a bottom up processing, a progression from individual elements to the whole. There is also evidence of a top-down processing, a progression from the whole to the elements. The above research related primarily to visual perception. Abeles and Goldstein (1970) found that the auditory cortex functioned in a similar way. This indicates that the primary visual area is arranged in such a way that the first group of cells (first order neurons) are selectively activated by incoming optic stimuli representing very specific elements of the environment. Second order cells, activated by the first order neurons, synthesise these elements into a more specific representation of the perceived entity (in this example straight lines in various configurations) and third order cells continue the process until the observed entity (in this example the square) is perceived.

In order to describe the principle of primary sensory representation with subsequent association, let us illustrate this process with a schematic analogy. Information of the observed square is conveyed to the visual cortex where specific groups of cells are stimulated. So "Side A" cells are responsive to the observed side A of the square, "Side B" cells to side B and so on. Cells are activated when interneuronal conduction resistance is lowered, that is when a threshold is reached and an outgoing impulse triggered.

The first order group of cells, representing sides A to D, form the base of a neural triangle. Straddling these four groups of cells are a second order group of cells of which the first group straddling groups A and B is representative of AB whilst a second group is representative of CD.

The next level of representation forms the apex of the triangle and straddles cell groups AB and CD. The apex is thus representative of the square, namely, ABCD. This triangle thus represents a neurological integration of the perceived entity with the apex being the point of specific representation of the entity perceived. By implication neuronal integration is not only triangular in formation, but also conical. We will henceforth refer to triangles/cones of integration as units of consciousness. For the purposes of this discussion we will refer to the most basic synthesised triangle/cone in the primary sensory area as a quantum of consciousness. (See neural templates - Stapp). We are specifically referring to the concept of the quantum in its truest sense, as will be shown below, in that quantum representation represents the full statistical possibility of the event.

It is clear that two units of consciousness (triangles/cones) may be further integrated into a larger triangle/cone when their apices become activated simultaneously. As described by Hole, higher levels of integration occurs across different sensory association areas. The fundamental convergence process of neurological function may be seen to be a manifestation of triangular integration. Thus it follows that fewer, more specifically representative, neuronal groups occur at a more integrative, or convergent, level in the triangular/conical hierarchy. The evolution of consciousness may thus be seen as being analogous with triangle/cone building. The process of triangle building will be described as a summation of quanta of consciousness.

It is the nature of the nervous system that the highest (most integrated) level of function at any given moment is that which is manifest. This neurological function is experienced as a state. Lower levels of representation within such an integrative map are suppressed whilst apical expression occurs, i.e., the apex representing the 'whole' is experienced rather than the constituent parts (the supportive convergences). Nevertheless lower levels within an integration will reflect apical representation as a consequence of the lowered interneural conduction resistance within that integration. By analogy individual sections of a journey will intrinsically reflect the destination of the journey. It can therefore be postulated that all integrated neuronal groups reflect the highest level of integration (the quantum summation) of that brain at that specific point in time. Activity in lower order neuronal groups may be the bases for many different quanta of consciousness. Thus these neuronal pools may experience lowered conduction resistance as part of different quanta of consciousness.

PROCESSES OF INTEGRATION

It has been clearly demonstrated that at the lower levels of neuronal integration specific representation of sensed information is stereotyped. Specific cells respond very specifically to particular environmental stimuli. The process of consciousness can therefore be extrapolated as a system whereby sensed elements of the external environment are labelled by activating programmed neuronal groups within the internal environment of the brain. At higher levels of cognitive integration, by implication, a potential for integration exists of, for example, an apex X and an apex Y by a quantum potential integrator Z - the point of the new specific representation. Whilst the level of cognitive integration is limited to the apices of X and Y, no subjective awareness of Z exists yet.

Two conditions seem necessary for the integration to occur. In the first instance there must exist in the brain the potential integrator, related to the quantum summation of the pre- existent environmental event, physiologically represented by an unlabelled programmed neuronal system or template. And in the second instance the experience of perception must be of such a nature that the environmental event representative of Z simultaneously activates neuronal groups X and Y which represent intrinsic parts of the new neuronal group Z. By this definition the process of consciousness can be seen as the labelling of programmed neuronal systems by the perception of corresponding environmental events representing quanta of potential summations and convergences. Within this model the evolution of consciousness (awareness of the greater environment) may be explained on the basis of higher integration of triangles/cones representing quantum summations. Three modes of achieving higher triangular integration can be identified:

a) Two (or more) triangular/conical apices are simultaneously activated which results in the activation of the potential integrator. Thus a new and higher integration is established. The resultant upgrading of consciousness (awareness of the extended environment) is linear. (I have a stick (X) - I strike my neighbour (Y) - stick becomes a weapon (Z). Z=XY. Principles of Darwinian selection might apply in this scenario.

b) The potential integrator is activated simultaneously with the activation of the appropriate triangular/conical apices, either by an environmental stimulus or by virtue of the integrator being part of a parallel integration (the brain is richly endowed with horizontal neuronal integrating processes). My arm being an *instrument* of extension (Z unlabelled in this set but operant in a set for, e.g., picking fruit off trees), enables me to engage in the *action* of beating my neighbour (X). I am holding a stick (Y) whilst I beat my neighbour (X) which stick I now perceive to be an instrument of extension. (Z = XY). The principle of simultaneity applies here.

c) The signal to noise ratio of the potential integrator (the neuron facilitated by diverse stimuli from parallel structures) increases to the extent that a threshold is achieved by which the appropriate triangular/conical apices are recruited and integrated - a quantum leap of understanding. Collective environmental activity either directly observed, involving instruments, actions and effects, or generating quantum summations via the plenum, create collective inputs from apices of various neural triangles/ cones or templates to activate a more inclusive triangle/cone or template. Lamarckian principles apply here - it happens because it needs to happen - i.e. quantum-determinism.

Edelman declares that there are more combinations and permutations of neural connections in the cortex alone than there are positively charged particles in the entire universe. It is accordingly proposed that the brain represents a programmed microcosm of the entire universe. The known universe consists of identifiable stable systems, each representing quantum summations for which neuronal activation has already occurred, and yet other stable systems still awaiting the labelling process (discovery). Since the human brain is intrinsically part of the universe, we can conceive, from an evolutionary perspective, that the human brain is the universe's medium of self-labelling. Thought and consciousness are therefore seen to be dependent on the perception of these stable systems and their associations. This presupposes that thought or consciousness is nurtured within the space/time epistemology and accounts in part for the prosaic difficulty of conceptualising the ontology of consciousness itself.


NEURODYNAMICS WITHIN THE CONTEXT OF NEURO-ANATOMY

Triangular/conical bases are postulated as being situated within the primary sensory areas of the brain. Vertical integration enters the association areas. These are initially exclusive association areas near the bases but enter a "mixed" association area with higher integration. The association area appears for the most part, to be based within the parietal lobes.

The drive to higher integration appears to originate from the frontal lobe area. Once a higher integration has been effected, frontal lobe activity becomes minimised in the context of that specific integration. The frontal lobe is thus seen as the seat of process rather than of content as regards the upgrading of integration. This is born out by the traits which develop following frontal lobe damage.

Frontal lobe drive for higher integration is mediated by temporal lobe activity. The temporal lobe thus seems to provide the mechanism for triangular/conical integration. The temporal lobe also appears to "tag" the emotional response which becomes associated with the integration - thus attaching a value.

All the activity taking place throughout the cerebral cortex appears to converge towards the deep nuclei. From this point emerges the neuro-endocrine outflow to the entire body. One postulate is that within the deep nuclei exists a convergence point, or "central screen", which is specifically responsive to cortical integration such that the integration with the lowest conduction resistance at any given point in time is that which is "screened". Consequently that which is screened may be termed conscious awareness, whilst all non- screened integration may be termed unconsciousness. Freud was one of the thinkers who considered the existence of "awareness" neurons, he termed them granny neurons. When considering this question of a possible "seat of consciousness" Mesulam, for example, looks to the inner cortical layers and subcortical structures especially the thalamus, which he describes as the gateway to the cortex. Gerald Edelman argues that the cortical appendages which include the basal ganglia, cerebellum and hippocampus, allow the individual to select priorities by enabling reentrant connections with the cortex. In this way, he says, the nervous system can select, order and organise its global mappings. According to him the basal ganglia modulates intercortical relationships, ensuring that knowledge of the external world is related to the needs and motivations of the observer.

Contemporary research has indicated the influence of psychodynamic processes on immune function. More recently areas near the deep nuclei, referred to as neuro-immuno- modulation areas, appear to be the transduction areas of this influence. Subjective emotional experience also appears to be a major determinant of this process. Thus we see a neurological pathway emerging which would support these arguments of the effect of integrational content and emotional "tagging" upon immune function. This appears to be mediated by the neuro-immuno-modulation areas in the medial temporal lobe and deep nuclei. The proposed model thus supports the concept of psychoneuro-immunology.


THE POTENTIAL FOR INTEGRATION

- From the proposed model it can be seen that the potential for higher integration (incremental convergences) is a function of the latitude of lower order representative neuronal groups. That is, the potential for vertical integration (intellectual depth) is dependent upon the span of the lower order neuronal representation and their associated integration. Any process which diminishes the potential for lower order integration diminishes the potential for consciousness at a higher level of integration. This includes physical damage, as well as any intrinsic bias which tends to filter out primary sensory information, which we have termed functional deletion, or which distorts sensed information and, as a consequence, reality, termed functional distortion.

THE 'WINDOWS' MODEL OF CONSCIOUSNESS

Triangles/cones of consciousness are formed representing every sphere of the environment in and with which we interact. The degree of integration, which, in terms of the analogous configuration would be the height of the triangle/ cone, is determined by the needs of the particular facet of environmental interaction - the selection referred to above functioning through value-attachment.

- From a developmental perspective, representation of the earlier years of development are situated near the bases of triangles/cones. Biases which are therefore established in the first few years have a profound effect on all later integration. The apices of the triangles/cones represent the maximal level of integration required for the individual's function in that specific environmental sphere, at that point in time. This would represent the individual's world view, or value system at that time. It would appear that the vast majority of the population functions within the reality of a finite and unchanging population of triangles/cones. When functioning within a specific triangle/cone of consciousness, the representation of reality implicit within that triangle/cone is subjectively perceived by the individual as being all of reality at that specific point in time.

As we have noted, receptive areas near the bases of the triangles/cones may be common to several triangles/cones of integration. However activation of a specific apex enhances the signal to noise ratio of the specific activated triangle /cone of consciousness above that of the surrounding ones. With filters of bias in place basal responsiveness is negatively affected. In this way much of the environmental representation is lost. The possibilities for progressive triangular/conical integration is consequently also negatively affected. The "mind map" or 'weltanschauung' which develops consists of islands of triangular/conical consciousness which remain, for the most part, un-integrated. The neuro-dynamics of this "island-type" integration represents something similar to a computer "windows" programme. Triangles/cones of integration are analogous to directories. Individual nuclei of representation within the integration are, in fact, files. Files may be duplicated in different directories. However in a given directory the file is an integral part and no real cross association occurs with its existence as an integral part of another directory. The representation on the screen as it is subjectively experienced in the mind, is one of fragmentation of reality.


QUANTUM CONSCIOUSNESS

The environment, in the quantum model of reality, is a continuum of matter and energy in continual flux. Bases of triangles/cones of consciousness free of bias (deletion) are responsive to all elements in the environment as well as their association. This unbiased condition may be termed quantum perception. The integration which occurs in these circumstances develop along a broad front. The "mind map" can therefore consequently be a truer representation of objective reality (the stable systems of the universe). Integration is therefore characterised by broad-based and tall triangles/ cones. Fundamental to this model is the awareness of the integration of specific points of representation in different triangles/cones of consciousness. In terms of the model then there is intrinsic awareness of the full cross-referencing of specific files in different directories. Differently stated, awareness develops of all the possibilities of integration of the specific file. In this way the continuum of the environment is maintained. Focus on any integration at a given point in time can then still represent a reliable window into the continuum of reality.

QUANTUM-DETERMINISM, CONSCIOUSNESS AND THE CONNECTEDNESS OF MATTER

It is from this perspective of neurodynamics that we have arrived at the quantum brain. The quantum environment implies a matter/energy continuum independent of time and space. Every entity in this continuum is statistically described (see: fractals) in its infinite entirety such that space merges into a past-present-future continuum. As defined previously the labelling of the environment by the summation of representational quanta of consciousness necessarily endorses the quantum nature of the process. Thus the full statistical continuum can only be perceived and integrated by a functional quantum brain. It follows then that because every perceived entity reflects the full statistical profile of time/space, the integrational process in fixed time/space must be programmed.

Analogous to the Einsteinian concept of the transmission and reception of quanta of light, a neuron may be seen to respond to stimuli of a value which is determined by the quantum field to which it is programmed. From this perspective a concept which needs to be addressed is, of course, the perennial question of ' action at a distance'. Herein lies the divide with approaches based on mechanistic evolution. Einstein defined the problem of 'action at a distance' as ". . a process impossible without the intervention of some intermediary medium". He resolved this, in the case of the magnetic attraction of bodies in a vacuum, by drawing attention to Farraday's (magnetic) field as being something real. Current physics accepts the 'quantum' field as real, although the nature of the 'plenum' remains the subject of much speculation and investigation.

Evaluation of Bell's Theorem confirms the postulate of the connectedness of all matter and energy within a timeless and spaceless continuum. Matter and energy manifest synchronous activity which is independent of time and space. The quantum potential of any event is mirrored by potential neuronal configurations awaiting activation by the summation of its stimuli within the context of human perception. This we describe as quantum-determinism. The neuronal pools, as the physiological agents of consciousness, are therefore functionally determined, as are the cells of any other part of the physiology, by the quantum dynamic. In the context of this domain, the interaction of evolving consciousness via principles of quantum-determinism with the connectedness of all matter and energy is no longer one of cause and effect of consciousness on, or by, the extended environment. Rather the connectedness of all matter and energy incorporates evolving consciousness to the extent that vertical ascension of triangular/conical integration in the brain, is a simultaneous event (synchronised) with the manifestation of the phenomenon in the extended environment. Intrinsic bias, however, will determine what spectrum of the environment is perceived and thus integrated in the individual.

DISCUSSION

An area of current intense debate which is germane to this model is the question of whether the neurons are stereotypically programmed or not. Einstein had already drawn attention to this question in the province of biology, in the Darwinian theory of the development of species by selection in the struggle for existence, and in the theory of development which is based on the hypothesis on the hereditary transmission of acquired characters. Are the neurons tuned like the strings of a piano waiting to bring into consciousness the musical notation of a sonata via action on the keyboard? (See the action on the keyboard as life itself.) Or is there a haphazard relationship between the instrument and life itself during which the identification of the appropriate strings on each different piano, in each case, has been established via random selection - the strings have become accidentally tuned to the tune and those which do not suite the melody have simply been discarded? Can this account for a Shakespeare sonnet or a Beethoven sonata? Herein lies the essence of the debate between the so-called neo-Darwinians, on the one side and the neo-Lamarkians on the other (the evolutionists and the creationists.)

Francis Crick sees the brain as a self-organising system of neurons whose hard-wiring (programming) is the product of evolution, but which is to some extent malleable at birth. According to him whilst some systems of brain activity, which he describes as interacting nets of neurons, are already functional at birth, others will be developed in the process of life. To the extent that our model proposes the activation through the experience life of programmed neural networks we could reach some agreement with him.

Gerald Edelman concurs that neurons are organised into groups, and by his definition a neural group in the cerebral cortex is functionally defined as an ensemble of cohesively interconnected cells, all of which express the same receptive *field* (our italics). Edelman however rejects the notion that the neurons are genetically pre-programmed and asserts that the number of connections in the brain are far to great to be accounted for by any amount of genetic information. He further claims that if you compare maps of the brain in different individuals every single individual has different maps. According to him the dense interconnected tapestry of neurons is not a pre-ordained construction but something that has evolved to cope effectively with novel circumstances. Edelman declares that each individual brain uses a process that resembles natural selection to develop during its own lifetime - this 'neural-Darwinianism' is decided, he says, not so much in the genes as in the development process that carries out the instructions of those genes. This begs the question of how the genes are instructed and again points to the quantum dynamic. We would also refer in this context to our concept of intrinsic biasses - which indeed would account for different perceptual maps. Research has clearly demonstrated the subjective nature of each individual's 'map' of reality. This subjectivity has been shown to be the results of perceptual filters which delete, distort and generalise available information of the environment via the process of value-formation or emotional tagging. The fact that two similarly tuned pianos can be played in such a different way by different players does not undermine the stereotypical nature of the piano. We can, in this case, to use a computer analogy, separate the hardware from the software, and resolve the dilemma in the quantum dynamic.

Research has now demonstrated that individual neurons of the lower order ranking can belong to a multiplicity of neural networks. This does tend to indicate a certain specificity of acquired function irrespective of the developmental aspects of that specificity. Brain mapping done with the use of MRI technology now demonstrates more effectively how specific regions of the brain are activated when activities, such as reading etc., are performed and how the neurons and their elaborate system of supporting cells organise and coordinate their tasks. For example, the digits in a monkey's hands have been stereotypically localised in the somatio-sensory cortex. Can it be that the proponents of natural selection overlook this information in their unwillingness to consider the quantum dynamic to be the modulator of genetic function?

We propose that it is now possible for both Darwinian and Lamarckian approaches to be integrated into a new schemata in the quantum domain. This offers a new perspective within which mechanistic approaches can be accommodated similar to the way in which Einstein found the appropriate perspective of Newtonian mechanics in his principles of relativity.

There are a number of thinkers now who posit that networks of neurons residing in strictly localised areas perform specific thought processes and that groups of these localised brain areas performing elementary operations work together to exhibit observable behaviour. Recent work carried out at the University of Pittsburg has corroborated research on monkeys that indicated the primate visual cortex is organised into topographic maps that reflect the spatial organisation of the world as we see it. There thus appears to be a strong case to be made that localised functions are indeed stereotypical for the human brain, notwithstanding the developmental route. It points to a collective aetiology - the foundation for quantum- determinism. Thus by observing organisational principles rather than individual neuronal function, as Edelman himself has stressed, we arrive at a more integrative pattern which we propose as triangle/cone building generating increasingly inclusive maps of reality. In addressing the question of neural selection Edelman also postulates that the result of positive selection is to incorporate more and more cells into the same group. To this extent it appears to confirm our proposal of the building of more complex and integrated neuronal triangles/cones.

Since the human brain does display a consistent architecture it demonstrates an 'a priori' organisation which can be modelled into a schemata to embrace both natural selection and genetic programming principles into the more integrated model of quantum determinism.The artificial schism can now end so that the more astonishing potentialities for human consciousness can begin to emerge.


SUMMARY

This proposed model of consciousness has attempted to integrate fundamental quantum dynamics with classical neurological process. The expanded neurological dynamic which is proposed has been based upon extrapolated reasoning of traditional neurological process as well as integrating documented but hitherto fragmented data.

The model proposes the existence of an intrinsic programmed representation of the extended order within the neurological network. Perception of the environment is modified by an intrinsic bias which is established in the earlier years of neurological development. The process of perception and integration is also subject to synchronicity within the timeless and spaceless connectedness postulated in Bell's Theorem. This latter influence is also modified by intrinsic bias. With the more open perceptual filters which is a characteristic of quantum consciousness, behaviourial feedback itself becomes the modulating influence. Consequently the more the bias is reduced, the more the integration will reflect the greater environment and the greater will be the illumination of the Universe.

There is now sufficient evidence to endorse the full quantum model of consciousness and the concomitant concept of quantum determinism. The dynamic interaction of neurological process with the quantum environment is seen to be a fundamental component of expanding consciousness per se.


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