Draft:The Architecture of Awareness: Decoding Consciousness

The Architecture of Awareness: Decoding Consciousness
AuthorCharles R.W. Sears
LanguageEnglish
GenrePhilosophy, Psychology, Neuroscience
PublisherSearsian Philosophy
Publication date
2023 (3rd Edition)
Pages331
ISBN978-1-963092-05-9

The Architecture of Awareness: Decoding Consciousness is a book by Charles R.W. Sears that explores topics in philosophy, psychology, and neuroscience. The book was published by Searsian Philosophy in 2023, as the third edition.

The Architecture of Awareness: Decoding Consciousness

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The Architecture of Awareness: Decoding Consciousness is a book by Charles R.W. Sears that explores human consciousness as an emergent phenomenon driven by survival instincts and complex cognitive processes. Sears integrates elements from philosophy, psychology, sociology, and neuroscience to propose a cohesive model he calls the "Cognitive Framework."

Overview

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In his thesis, the Unifying Theory of Emergent Consciousness, Sears posits:

“In both an ideal environment and a cognitively capable entity, consciousness emerges naturally as a heightened level of awareness when you iteratively and persistently align sensory input with structured historical data, apply logic and bring it all into order through a basic survival instinct. In essence, consciousness is the result of math and motive.”

The book introduces several advanced models for understanding consciousness and motivation, including:

  • The Core Four Motivations
  • The Motivational Strata Model
  • The Decadic Cycle of Expression
  • The Three Levels of Conscious Awareness
  • The Ouroboros Cycle of Civilization
  • The Stabilizing Anchors of Elevated Consciousness
  • The Drifting Context Window
  • The Four Experiential Frames
  • Sears also proposes a model for creating a Sentient AI system capable of self-awareness, addressing both the how and why behind subjective experiences, also known as the "hard problem" of consciousness. He argues that the iterative survival drive within DNA leads to self-organizing systems that culminate in consciousness.

Reception

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The Architecture of Awareness has been well-received by professionals across various fields, particularly for its interdisciplinary approach. Clinical psychologists have noted its applicability in therapeutic contexts, and academic reviewers have praised Sears' integration of concepts from diverse domains.

The book has sold over one hundred copies since its release.

References

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Sears draws on works from neuroscience, psychology, and evolutionary biology, with references to figures like Charles Darwin and Bessel van der Kolk to support his theories.