Consciousness as a Memory System

Abstract

We suggest that there is confusion between why consciousness developed and what additional functions, through continued evolution, it has co-opted. Consider episodic memory. If we believe that episodic memory evolved solely to accurately represent past events, it seems like a terrible system-prone to forgetting and false memories. However, if we believe that episodic memory developed to flexibly and creatively combine and rearrange memories of prior events in order to plan for the future, then it is quite a good system. We argue that consciousness originally developed as part of the episodic memory system-quite likely the part needed to accomplish that flexible recombining of information. We posit further that consciousness was subsequently co-opted to produce other functions that are not directly relevant to memory per se, such as problemsolving, abstract thinking, and language. We suggest that this theory is compatible with many phenomena, such as the slow speed and the after-the-fact order of consciousness, that cannot be explained well by other theories. We believe that our theory may have profound implications for understanding intentional action and consciousness in general. Moreover, we suggest that episodic memory and its associated memory systems of sensory, working, and semantic memory as a whole ought to be considered together as the conscious memory system in that they, together, give rise to the phenomenon of consciousness. Lastly, we suggest that the cerebral cortex is the part of the brain that makes consciousness possible, and that every cortical region contributes to this conscious memory system.

A Quantum-Classical Model of Brain Dynamics

“…We note that the description of memory processes from a quantum point of view [31] may have repercussions on recent suggestions about the interplay between memory and consciousness [143].…”

Commentary on “Consciousness as a Memory System” by Budson, Richman, and Kensinger (2022)

“…Budson and colleagues (2022) present the idea that multiple cortical regions have conscious processes—though mainly limited to a single function—and they state that these other forms of consciousness developed later in evolution. For example, language, calculations, and abstract reasoning are all usually conscious processes, though there are exceptions; the authors state, for example, that during a lecture, a speaker may rattle off points and then suddenly become conscious of giving the lecture and forget what has just been said.…”

“…Thus, Budson and colleagues state that “today, consciousness certainly participates in functions that we do not generally associate with episodic memory, such as problem-solving, abstract reasoning, and language. We argue that such functions developed later in evolutionary history, after consciousness was already functioning to furnish the content of episodic memory representations” (Budson et al, 2022, p. 268). Again, I see very little evolutionary evidence that these cortical functions became conscious only after memory-consciousness.…”

“…Rather, they postulate that consciousness arose through memory functions, and in this context, memory refers to all three of the accepted stages and types of explicit (conscious) memory: working or immediate memory, short-term memory, and semantic memory. The authors state that “although we can split sensory, working, episodic, and semantic memory into separate systems, in the healthy brain, these systems function seamlessly together as a single system” (Budson et al, 2022, p. 268).…”

A Philosophical Approach to Aspects of Memory and Consciousness

“…There is a vast literature in this e.g. [20], but it boils down to memories not being stored in specific locations in the brain like in a computer, but somehow 'spread all over. ' The medium of storage is thought to be brain synapses, and as we learn something, the synapses undergo modifications that incorporate memories for later recall.…”