The Dimension of Neural Memory and Consciousness

Abstract

The mental dimension is an experiential state achieved by neural circuits, that cannot be measured by physical means but that nonetheless affects the behavior of conscious neural creatures. The “meaning” or “worth” of anything in the life of animals is based on emotive factors that are recalled from past experience. Emotive memory is the key to the “consciousness” that determines decisions and valuations. Even supposedly rational economic decisions are ultimately based on affective considerations. From the Darwinian perspective, neural signaling evolved from bacterial signaling processes which employed small molecules (i.e. biogenic amines). The tripartite mechanism provides a chemodynamic rationale for considering the physiologic basis of such signaling, a key facet of “consciousness”. We note that the original bacterial signaling molecules (i.e. biogenic amines), later termed “neuro-transmitters” (NTs)) were retained by and still used by all neurons. To clarify the discussion, we de-limit the meaning of terms commonly used by both computer scientists and neurobiologists (i.e. “memory”, “information”, “feelings”, “emotions” , “energy”, “artificial intelligence”, “logic” and “dimension”). Mind and body are a complex unity. The psyche emerges from the physiology and chemistry of interacting neurons, projecting an ensemble of physiologic sensibilities into a psychic (mental) dimension. Without memory, there are no emotions and vice versa…without emotive qualities, memory fades. Emotions and memory are linked facets of the psychic dimension of consciousness, encoded and decoded by the biochemically active neural net.