What is Consciousness, according to Marvin Minsky?
In his trailblazing work “The Society of Mind,” Marvin Minsky presents consciousness not as a single, unified entity but as a mosaic, a grand assembly of numerous smaller processes, each contributing to the illusion of a coherent self. He writes, “Minds are simply what brains do.” This statement is deceptively simple yet profoundly deep. It implies that consciousness, this enigmatic phenomenon we so cherish, is essentially the product of numerous, perhaps mundane, brain functions working in concert.
Minsky’s vision of the mind is akin to a society, where each member, or mental process, has its own role and specialty. There is no supreme leader, no central executive. Instead, there is a democracy of processes, each vying for attention, contributing its part to the collective experience of ‘mind’. This view challenges the classical notion of a unified self, proposing instead a fragmented, multifaceted nature of consciousness.
In his book, Minsky muses, “The power of intelligence stems from our vast diversity, not from any single, perfect principle.” Here, he highlights the rich, diverse nature of our mental processes, suggesting that our intelligence, our consciousness, stems not from a singular, infallible process but from the chaotic, often contradictory multitude of mental activities that comprise our minds.
Philosophically, Minsky’s model is a radical departure from traditional views of a singular, unified consciousness. It suggests that searching for the essence of consciousness is like trying to grasp the wind; it’s elusive because it’s not a single thing but a collection of many. It’s an orchestra without a conductor, where each instrument contributes to the emergent melody of thought and awareness.
Thus, for Minsky, consciousness is less a majestic enigma and more a pragmatic conglomeration. It’s not a singular, continuous stream but a patchwork of mental states, a collage of cognitive processes. In this light, the mind is a society in the truest sense, a bustling, ever-changing community of ideas, memories, sensations, and thoughts, each playing its part in the grand drama of consciousness.
Murat
