A Hypothesis of Mind

Author(s): David Kashani

A physical model of consciousness is proposed wherein the ‘mental’, as distinct and separate from its brain under structure, exists as an epiphenomenal part of it, fully explainable by the physics of special relativity and quantum mechanics. A methodology based on the “auditory rabbit” and the “cutaneous rabbit”, sound wave physics, the visual saltation illusion of Kanisza triangles, and the principles of time dilation is then outlined to either support or falsify this conclusion. Specifically, a quasi-inequality or test creates the satisfaction of which would falsify the hypothesis. This booklet crafts a hypothesis regarding consciousness that would be amenable to the scientific method, while taking care not to veer off into metaphysics except where it be possible to incorporate same into reasonable scientific certainty or, at minimum, render it moot herein. Since the advancement of our scientific understanding of the mind continues to be dependent in no small measure upon authentically incorporating as much philosophy into science as possible, I begin with some background in philosophy of mind.