Consciousness thrives on Harmony, while Intellect is fueled by Goals

“...I paint objects as I think them, not as I see them…”, - Pablo Picasso

In the intricate dance of human cognition, intelligence and consciousness play distinct yet complementary roles.

Intelligence, driven by the sensory inputs of our body, processes real-time data to generate actionable knowledge (Sensors - > Model (Knowledge) - > Action ). It is the engine behind our immediate responses and problem-solving abilities.

On the other hand, consciousness delves into the realm of abstract experiences, navigating interactions with intangible concepts (Abstract objects interactions - > Picture of wholeness - > Insights). According to Kant, consciousness is "the thing in itself," an enigmatic entity that eludes complete exploration due to its inherently subjective nature. That prevents us from studying consciousness as an object by means of scientific approach.

The synergy between intelligence and consciousness is crucial for a holistic understanding of our world. While intelligence excels in performing momentary actions and addressing immediate needs, consciousness constructs a broader, more nuanced picture of reality. This dynamic interplay allows us to not only react effectively, but also reflect deeply, fostering a richer, more comprehensive grasp of existence.

The harmonious collaboration between intelligence and consciousness enables us to navigate both the tangible and abstract dimensions of life. Intelligence provides the tools for immediate action, while consciousness offers the wisdom to see beyond the present moment, crafting a cohesive vision of our world. Together, they form the bedrock of human experience and understanding.

Intelligence is about the Goals achievement.

In the realm of cognitive science, Donald Hoffman's theories offer a fascinating perspective on the goals of intelligence. According to Hoffman, intelligence is fundamentally driven by the principle of energy conservation. This means that our cognitive processes are designed to form a picture of the world that is "good enough" to achieve our goals while expending the least amount of energy possible.

Intelligence, in this context, acts as an efficient optimizer. It doesn't strive for an exhaustive or perfectly accurate representation of reality. Instead, it constructs a simplified model that allows us to navigate our environment effectively and efficiently. This pragmatic approach ensures that we can make quick decisions and take immediate actions without being bogged down by unnecessary details.

For instance, when crossing a busy street, our intelligence doesn't calculate every possible variable. Instead, it quickly assesses key factors like the speed and distance of oncoming cars, enabling us to cross safely with minimal cognitive effort. This streamlined processing is crucial for survival and daily functioning.

However, this efficiency comes at a cost: our perception of reality is inherently limited and sometimes misleading. We see what we need to see to survive and thrive, not necessarily what is objectively true. This aligns with Hoffman's idea that our sensory experiences are more about utility, than accuracy.

Understanding intelligence through Hoffman's lens highlights its role as an energy-efficient system designed to achieve goals with minimal expenditure. While this approach allows for rapid and effective decision-making, it also underscores the importance of consciousness in providing a broader, more reflective understanding of our world. Together, intelligence and consciousness enable us to balance immediate needs with long-term insights, creating a dynamic interplay that shapes our human experience.

An important conclusion to draw from this understanding is that intelligence is inherently goal-driven. Without goals, there would be no function for optimization, and thus no need for the energy conservation that underpins intelligent behavior. This goal-oriented nature of intelligence ensures that our cognitive processes are always aligned with achieving specific outcomes in the most efficient manner possible.

Consider the role of intelligence as a sophisticated system designed to navigate a complex world. Its primary function is to identify and pursue goals—whether they are as immediate as finding food or as long-term as building a career. In doing so, intelligence employs strategies that minimize energy expenditure while maximizing the likelihood of success. This principle of energy perseverance is crucial because it allows organisms to sustain themselves over time, ensuring survival and adaptation.

For example, when solving a problem, our brain doesn't explore every possible solution exhaustively. Instead, it uses heuristics—mental shortcuts that provide good enough solutions quickly and with minimal effort. These heuristics are shaped by past experiences and evolutionary pressures, fine-tuning our cognitive processes to be both effective and efficient.

This goal-driven nature of intelligence also explains why we often see patterns and make predictions based on incomplete information. Our brains are wired to construct simplified models of reality that are sufficient for achieving our goals, even if these models are not entirely accurate. This pragmatic approach allows us to act decisively in uncertain environments, conserving energy for other vital functions.

Consciousness does not have any goal and is driven by harmony

Consciousness can be understood as a sophisticated mechanism that constructs a holistic picture of reality, guided by the principle of harmony. Unlike intelligence, which is goal-driven and heavily reliant on sensory inputs to optimize energy expenditure, consciousness operates on a different plane. It seeks to integrate and synthesize experiences, ideas, and interactions into a coherent and harmonious whole.

The term harmony derives from the Greek ?ρμον?α harmonia, meaning "joint, agreement, concord", from the verb ?ρμ?ζω harmozō, "fit together, join".

Harmony serves as the primary driver for consciousness, orchestrating the interplay of abstract concepts and relationships between objects. This principle transcends the limitations of space and time, allowing consciousness to weave together disparate elements into a unified tapestry. While our sensory inputs provide the raw data for this process, they do not confine it. Instead, consciousness uses these inputs as starting points to explore realms beyond immediate perception.

For instance, when we contemplate the beauty of a sunset or the intricacies of a philosophical argument, our consciousness is at work harmonizing various elements—colors, emotions, logical structures—into a cohesive experience. This synthesis is not bound by the constraints of our physical senses; it extends into abstract domains where ideas and emotions interact freely.

Importantly, harmony in this context is not a goal but a guiding principle. If harmony were to become an objective to be achieved, it would fall under the purview of intelligence, subject to optimization and energy conservation. Instead, harmony acts as an intrinsic quality that shapes how consciousness organizes and interprets information. It provides a sense of balance and coherence without being an end in itself.

This distinction underscores the unique role of consciousness in human cognition. While intelligence focuses on immediate actions and problem-solving within the framework of sensory inputs and goals, consciousness offers a broader perspective. It allows us to transcend momentary concerns and engage with deeper meanings and connections that define our existence.

Consciousness functions as a mechanism for building a comprehensive picture of reality through the lens of harmony. This principle enables us to integrate abstract ideas and interactions into a unified whole, free from the constraints of space and time but influenced by sensory inputs. By distinguishing harmony as a driver rather than a goal, we can appreciate the unique contributions of consciousness in enriching our understanding of the world.

Consciousness, while adept at creating a holistic and harmonious picture of reality, faces inherent limitations when it comes to the barriers of space and time and its ability to operate on root and cause effects.

Space and Time Barriers

1. Non-Linear Perception: Consciousness does not strictly adhere to the linear progression of time or the spatial constraints that govern our physical world. It can recall past events, imagine future scenarios, and even create entirely new constructs that do not exist in the present moment. This non-linear perception allows for a rich tapestry of experiences but can also lead to distortions or biases in how we understand reality, meaning conflicts with Intelligence.
2. Abstract Integration: While consciousness can integrate information across different times and spaces, this integration is often abstract rather than concrete. For example, we can conceptualize the vastness of the universe or the depth of history, but our understanding remains limited by our immediate sensory experiences and cognitive frameworks.

Inability to Operate on Root and Cause Effects

1. Complex Interdependencies: Consciousness excels at synthesizing complex interdependencies into a coherent whole, but struggles with pinpointing precise root causes due to the intricate web of interactions involved. For instance, understanding the root cause of an emotional response involves untangling a myriad of factors—past experiences, current context, biological states—that are deeply intertwined.
2. Subjective Interpretation: The subjective nature of consciousness means that it interprets events through a personal lens, influenced by emotions, beliefs, and prior knowledge. This subjectivity can obscure objective cause-and-effect relationships, making it challenging to discern clear causal pathways.
3. Holistic Focus: Consciousness tends to focus on the big picture rather than dissecting individual components. While this holistic approach provides a broad understanding, it often overlooks specific details necessary for identifying root causes.

Therefore, consciousness transcends space and time barriers by integrating experiences across different dimensions into a unified whole.

However, its abstract nature and subjective interpretation limit its ability to operate on root and cause effects, effectively meaning, that consciousness operates outside the space and time constraints and time flow, while for Intelligence this is a crucial aspect.

These limitations highlight the complementary roles of consciousness and intelligence in human cognition—where intelligence focuses on detailed problem-solving within specific contexts, consciousness offers a broader perspective that enriches our overall understanding.

Conclusion

The driving principles of Intelligence - are roots and causes, sensors and goals.

The driving principles of consciousness - is a harmony of the abstract objects and their interaction - harmony of the "wholeness picture".