AUTHOR=Rail David , Selby Andrew 

TITLE=Re-evaluating the structure of consciousness through the symintentry hypothesis

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Psychology

VOLUME=Volume 14 - 2023

YEAR=2023

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1005139

DOI=10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1005139

ISSN=1664-1078

ABSTRACT=The Projective Consciousness Model and its extension to phenomenal selfhood models the generic invariant structures of consciousness through 5 symmetries These are: situated 3D spatiality; temporal integration through encompassing the three “nows” that constitute the Now; multimodal synchronic integration; relational phenomenal intentionality; and consciousness entails a pre-reflective awareness of the uniqueness of Phenomenal Self. These symmetries stem from the evolution and emergence of Phenomenal Self through modelling and that is realized through Phenomenal modelling of the intentionality relationship. We propose that this set of symmetries is based on and can be explicated in terms of a more fundamental symmetry, symmetry-based modelling. The proposal stems from: one, Kant’s Transcendental Structuralism that asserts “Objects” conform to models prescribed through the inherent structure of the phenomenal mind. Two, Cassirer proposed that a mathematical group underpins this structure. To validate our proposal we stipulate this group defining symmetry-based modelling and its emergence and adaptation into structuring the Now. We find that Cassirer’s group requires a more powerful Dual Quaternion operator to be able to support intentionality and so the five symmetries. We propose that the efficacy of this operator stems from unifying symmetry-based modelling and intentionality as “Symintentry”. Symintentry we argue is not just a new form of symmetry, but is the archetypical form of symmetry. Symintentry provides fresh insights into the nature of symmetry, intentionality, and consciousness.