A Novel Computer Simulation of the Mind Using Buddhist Theories

Abstract

We explore whether a body of knowledge for the mind based on ancient Buddhist psychology is computer programmable and could add value to the field of computational cognitive science. This system composed of the mechanics of human consciousness and cognitive processes is appealing because of its root in meditation, a rare non-intrusive method to examining the mind. In this paper, we design and develop a computer program that embodies the key components of the system, including consciousness, mental states, sense-based and mind-based cognitive processes in the Python programming language. By utilizing timed events, individual queues for each of the five senses that are regulated by a central queue for the brain, feature and object memory, and a concurrent sense and mind architecture, our prototype simulates a tick’s life cycle to depict its population growth curve as it learns to survive by refining its choices under varying arrival frequency of prey. The program could be of interest to artificial intelligence and robotics as it offers an alternative way to modeling and mimicking human cognition