What is this?

The Symphony of the Mind (SotM) is a working title for a new theory I’m proposing on how our brains might process the information we experience as our reality. It covers the stimuli we perceive, the thoughts we have, the memories we recall, the feelings we have, and the choices we make.

It is unique in that it works with only parts and processes that are clearly observable in our brains, while being able to explain a wide range of previously unconnected human characteristics.

This theory is set on the crossroads between three fields that all study the human mind from a different vantage point: neuroscience, psychology and machine learning (artificial intelligence). Each field has their own theories and (partial) explanations, but there are few links between them. This theory intends to bridge these gaps, and offers a common framework that fits well-attested observations from all three fields. You can find a link below to the latest version of my paper for the detailed argumentation. It is very much a work in progress, so I welcome any thoughts, feedback, or questions.

The oversimplified version

The focus of this theory is information. There are three main holders of information in our brains; the activity of neurons in series of action potentials, the structure and weights of neural networks, and individual characteristics of neurons themselves. These all interact. Neurons can activate each other in waves of activity. These waves pass through networks, that modulate and channel them to other networks. Neurochemical messengers (hormones, or neuromodulators like dopamine) can target specific neurons, and temporarily change their sensitivity. This influences how the networks that these neurons are a part of channel the wave of activity.

The common denominator is activity. At any moment, part of the neurons in our brain are active while most others are not. These active neurons form a pattern that appears to correlate with our awareness. This unites information held throughout our brain, like visual information, language, or motor skills by being active at the same time. You could explain any instant of your awareness as a unique combination of information, which could be caused by a unique pattern of active neurons.

All networks are interconnected, and each network can activate many others when a wave of activity passes through it. But total activity in the brain is kept stable: as total activity increases, the sensitivity of all neurons decreases. The least active networks will be snuffed out, while the most active networks remain. These are the networks that share the most, or strongest, connections with the active pattern. They hold mutually relevant information, and the brain self-harmonizes around them.

These (mostly) harmonized patterns of information can explain the instants of our awareness. One pattern continuously activates the next pattern in what we experience as a train of thought. Which next pattern is activated can be seen as a competition in where everything that holds information in the brain interacts, and one harmonious pattern at a time wins. This competition differentiates between relevant and irrelevant information, but can also explain attention, behaviour, memory recall, emotional and motivational states, and decision making.

The strenght of a theory is measured not by how much it can explain, but accurately predict. As SotM is based on simple processes in the observable physical nervous system, it makes clear, testable predictions for both neuroscience and psychology. Many of these predictions fit long-standing observations. Still, dedicated research will be needed to test the central hypotheses in this theory before we can be sure.

Manuscript versions

This project began as a naive but optimistic question. If we combine the findings from the many fields that study our brains, can we find a plausible explanation for our minds? At first the aim was to write a popular scientific book to give focus to my research. But to ease collaboration with researchers in various fields I am also working on a scientific paper. And, since the order in which things are published matters in science, I will share the latest versions below.

If you happen to stumble across this page and which to contact me about this, just send an email to contact (at) the url of this webpage and I am happy to answer any questions you might have.