A systematic approach to answering the easy problems of consciousness based on an executable cognitive system

Fuente: arXiv
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Autor principal: Zhang, Qi
Formato: Preprint
Publicado: 2026
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author Zhang, Qi
author_facet Zhang, Qi
contents Consciousness is the window of the brain and reflects many fundamental cognitive properties involving both computational and cognitive mechanisms. A collection of these properties was described as the "easy problems" by Chalmers, including the ability to discriminate, categorize, and react to stimuli; information integration; reportability; information access; attention; deliberate control; and the difference between wakefulness and sleep. These "easy problems" have not been systematically addressed. This study presents a first attempt to address them systematically based on an executable cognitive system and its implemented computational mechanisms, built upon an understanding of conceptual knowledge proposed by Kant. The study suggests that the abilities to discriminate, categorize, react, report, and integrate information can all be derived from the system's learning mechanism; attention and deliberate control are goal-oriented and can be attributed to emotional states and its information-manipulation mechanism; and the difference between wakefulness and dream sleep lies mainly in the source of stimuli. The connections between the implemented mechanisms in the executive system and conclusions drawn from empirical findings are also discussed, and many of these discussions and conclusions are supported by demonstrations of the executive system.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2603_04440
institution arXiv
publishDate 2026
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle A systematic approach to answering the easy problems of consciousness based on an executable cognitive system
Zhang, Qi
Neurons and Cognition
Artificial Intelligence
Emerging Technologies
Consciousness is the window of the brain and reflects many fundamental cognitive properties involving both computational and cognitive mechanisms. A collection of these properties was described as the "easy problems" by Chalmers, including the ability to discriminate, categorize, and react to stimuli; information integration; reportability; information access; attention; deliberate control; and the difference between wakefulness and sleep. These "easy problems" have not been systematically addressed. This study presents a first attempt to address them systematically based on an executable cognitive system and its implemented computational mechanisms, built upon an understanding of conceptual knowledge proposed by Kant. The study suggests that the abilities to discriminate, categorize, react, report, and integrate information can all be derived from the system's learning mechanism; attention and deliberate control are goal-oriented and can be attributed to emotional states and its information-manipulation mechanism; and the difference between wakefulness and dream sleep lies mainly in the source of stimuli. The connections between the implemented mechanisms in the executive system and conclusions drawn from empirical findings are also discussed, and many of these discussions and conclusions are supported by demonstrations of the executive system.
title A systematic approach to answering the easy problems of consciousness based on an executable cognitive system
topic Neurons and Cognition
Artificial Intelligence
Emerging Technologies
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2603.04440