The Coming Wisdom Revolution

8/8/2019 The Coming Wisdom Revolution

1/174

1 8-Sep-10

THE COMING WISDOM REVOLUT ION

INTRODUCTION

A new scientific approach to psychology and the social sciences offers

revolutionary improvements in our lives and our world. Greatly clarifying ourdecision making, this theory arguably identifies how our ideas shape our thoughts,

actions, feelings and emotions and ultimately our lives and well-being. We may nowlearn to deal with our problems far more realistically and effectively and live far

more happily as a result.It is both possible and vitally necessary that we scientifically examine our

decision-making processes to discover if they are adequate. We now have the

scientific tools for doing so. It seems that strong patterns underlie our decisionmaking processes and outcomes, yet we have not recognised these. Academic theory

and teachings lack this knowledge. Decision making is a science and we need to

recognise it as such if we are to make significant progress.

This theory is built upon well-established information and systems concepts. Itsuggests that to achieve satisfactory well-being, some particular ideas - in fact someoptimal principles - need to govern our decision-making. However it seems that

some of our established economic and institutional arrangements are deeply flawed,

conflicting with the appropriate ideas. We may need to replace them to deal withurgent issues such as climate change, war and poverty.

Human decision making is now very confused. To varying degrees we all nowaccept at least two conflicting ideologies or belief systems. One ideology is optimal,

with which we may maximise well-being. This involves allowing the realities to

decide our actions. We can become far more aware of the real world within andaround us, especially what well-being is and how we affect it. It is the real world that

generates our well-being outcomes and we need to heed its natural patterns if weare to live adequately. Although optimal decision making principles are often usedand seem like common-sense, they have not previously been identified. They have

been like a code we have not understood. Intricate and fragile, they are easilyviolated when we use ideas that are different from them.

The other ideology comprises three levels of unwarranted assumptions that

have become flawed dogmas. These violate the optimal principles so that weundermine well-being, usually unintentionally. These include some major economic

and institutional relationship ideas, the foundations of our current world. They

severely disorient our thinking and behaviour and constitute major defects inWestern philosophy and behaviour that have caused major problems for thousands

of years. Many dogmas comprise conventional wisdom we accept in the course ofour main dealings with each other. Using them we see ourselves as free to act in

ways that are actually uninformed, haphazard or exploitative so that we cause

needless loss and diminishment to each other. Our flawed beliefs have become quitenormal, so we are often unaware our actions are poorly chosen. We have not

realised that a far better and more realistic philosophy can be discovered.We humans have been ignorant of the causes of our needless problems.

Within us, these two incompatible unrecognised ideologies, two thinking-boxes,


2/174

2 8-Sep-10

jostle for control of our thoughts and actions. When we think in one box we cannot

think in the other. When put into practice, this mixture of ideologies leads to anintricate mixture of beneficial and harmful actions and experiences. Our current

world situation comprises powerful optimal processes that enhance human well-being. However these have been severely undermined by powerful dogma-driven

processes by which we needlessly diminish well-being. It seems moreover, thatemotional aspects of our nature amplify the loss and suffering due to our poordecision making, leading to problems of family and self-abuse, violence and

psychological depression for example.

Our problems do not just happen. Nor is our most fundamental humannature irredeemably flawed. The prevalence of wars, poverty and the imminent

threat of catastrophic climate change indicate something has gone very badly wrongwith human decision-making. This theory explains how our culture, thinking and

behaviour, especially aspects involving trading, ownership and institutional

authority, have gone awry. These diminish our lives in many ways. While there ismuch that is very good about our civilisation, much of our traditional economic and

institutional thinking governing large parts of our: academic, educational, legal,government, political, military, religious and media activity is quite unenlightenedand defective. It leads to unrelenting confusion, haphazard decision-making and

suffering, creating many intractable problems. Our major flawed beliefs wereadopted long ago and have never been properly examined. This book aims to

resolve the paradox that we humans cause each other and our selves much needless

loss and suffering. More importantly it shows how we may overcome this.The discovery of this extremely subtle new science arguably requires

techniques similar to those used by Einstein. Various paradoxes can be identified inthe field of human decision making where our traditional efforts seem futile but for

no good reason. These contradict what one might reasonably suppose to be

appropriate, including for example:y our great effort to prepare for war and often to engage in it;

y our economic recessions;

y our apparent incapacity for recognising the seriousness of the climatechange threat and responding appropriately; or

y our failure to live far more happily.Following Einsteins lead, we need to question our most basic assumptions as to our

human realities. We then can seek to build a new theory from the basic facts that is

free from contradiction and paradox. We may then similarly come to some quiteamazing conclusions leading to major breakthroughs in our understanding.

It seems that many, perhaps most of our social and economic problems are

due to our flawed ideas. These defective ideas apply to a vast variety of oursituations needlessly creating innumerable problems. However by replacing these

defective ideas we can achieve vast improvements, perhaps quite rapidly.A clear pathway to a vastly better world lies before us. Each of us can

discover the nature of the problem-solving universe and the optimal decision

making processes. While these processes are now often recognised, our beliefs andour current world frequently deviate from them. We can discover the world afresh


3/174

3 8-Sep-10

including the nature of our inner selves, greatly empowering us to manage our lives.

We may experience a profound intellectual and spiritual enlightenment as ourbeliefs are transformed, leading to harmony with the real world and each

other. With this enlightenment we can come to see the world more simply andrealistically. Many of our subconscious processes will become clear. While no-one

has previously understood our nature and our problems adequately, we can all nowlearn to do so.

As we increasingly adopt the optimal concepts, our great faith in many

cherished institutional and economic processes will diminish. Realising they

actually cause many problems, we will see them as flawed. Major defects in manyestablished social-science teachings will be replaced by realistic principles that

actually work in practice. By rejecting the dogmas that harm us, waste away ourefforts and blind us to the truth, we can approach perfection in our lives and our

world, all becoming like geniuses. We can arguably establish the nature of love

unambiguously and scientifically. In important respects this doctrine coincides withteachings of several great religious leaders.

Through this Wisdom Revolution we can all enjoy much fulfilment and harmony,while treating each other far better. In dealing with each other we will realisticallyrecognise the nature of each others feelings and how we affect them. We will:

y Avoid needlessly diminishing each other such as through poverty, war andenvironmental destruction;

y Amply meet our material needs including those for food and housing;

y Share work that really benefits people;

y Enjoy much leisure;

y Enjoy good relationship with everyone;

y Experience far less stress and other negative emotions; and

y Thoroughly understand our spiritual and psychological nature.As our confidence and enthusiasm for optimal thinking grows, it will be

increasingly desired and adopted due to its great benefits. The world may undergo arevolutionary improvement where money, ownership and various institutions

substantially disappear. These will be replaced by a value-maximising or love formof relationship, a Natural Moral Law. Primarily governing our own thinking and

behaviour, we will exercise only limited and measured control over others lives.

In approaching this theory, an open mind is needed. Having stronglyaccepted some imperfect beliefs, we cannot readily recognise them nor discover the

appropriate belief system. It seems we now often reject realistic concepts from

consideration because these conflict with our fondly-held but flawedpreconceptions. We need instead to build a realistic belief system from scientific

first principles. This requires us to question our established beliefs and to rejectmany of them. Some widely accepted flawed preconceptions include for instance:

y All sincerely held beliefs are appropriate;

y Our problems (and the human mind) are impossibly complex;

y Established theories provide a satisfactory basis for further discoveries;

y Science cannot address questions as to human value.

This theory broadly addresses all main forms of human problem solving. Its


4/174

4 8-Sep-10

information and systems concepts and principles apply across all these. Our

problem-solving defects are similarly very broad, causing many different types ofproblem and diminishment of well-being. Understanding these therefore demands

an approach that is not confined to any narrow area. It seems that in order tocomprehend and deal with one type of decision making problem we need to develop

a science to deal with all types of human problem. Optimal decision making thenbecomes surprisingly easy.

Optimal decision making is partially overlapped by many prominent

doctrines such as Christianity, Buddhism, Marxism, conventional economics and

democracy. However most of our prevailing doctrines include much that isinappropriate. To understand optimality we need to examine the realities rather

than proceed from our present thinking. (diagram)Optimal decision making corresponds to an optimal theory and practice of all

purposeful and positive activities that fulfil important goals for example:

y Democracy and governance;

y Justice,

y Economic management;y Defence security;

y Social welfare;

y Health management;

y Crime control.This theory is developed from the philosophies of modern professional

engineering, computer software engineering and the applied sciences that have

proven outstandingly effective in technological fields. However these new ideas anddiscoveries may now enable us to understand our inner-selves and our problems far

more clearly than our traditional social science approaches have done. It seems thatthe simple concepts of systems and information processing that have revolutionised

much of our world also broadly govern how our minds work. A quite modest

extension of the technological sciences allows us to predict how our actions affectour experiences and the nerve networks within us that generate our feelings of well-

being. This leads to a very comprehensive theory of human problem solving,psychology and the social sciences that is rigorous and realistic yet also remarkably

simple.

It seems that human decision-making is a science. In fact it is quitemathematical. This is because our minds perform quite sophisticated information

processes in the course of controlling the many aspects of the real world that our

lives largely comprise. Problem solving is thus far more intricate, technical andexacting than we have typically supposed in much of our social, legal and political

decision-making. It is also moderately elaborate. Social scientists may have lackedthe necessary analytical capabilities, rigour and clarity for comprehending our

human situation. We can perhaps use the new science to transform ourselves so that

optimal thinking, behaviour and ideas become normal. Yet we often need not beconscious of the science.

This document contains few references to other writings. This theory agrees

with very many writings, yet it disagrees at least implicitly with many others. The


5/174

5 8-Sep-10

truth of its statements primarily needs to be tested against the observable realities

within our lives.While this document is intended to be readable by non-scientists it also aims

to describe the science of this theory. The statements in this document should bequestioned. To the extent they are imperfect we should seek to identify and reject

these and find appropriate concepts, thereby seeking an adequate theory. Even ifsome aspects of this theory are defective, it may yet offer important breakthroughsor openings in others.

THIS BOOK

This book is divided into four parts. After the introduction Part 1 describes atemplate model of the real world that comprises both the world around us, but also

our inner selves that includes a model of the mind and neural systems that isrelevant to understanding our problem solving processes. While this model

acknowledges the place of our ideas this Part does not discuss their effects upon our

behaviour, experiences or well-being.

Part 2 puts forward decision making ideas or principles that are arguablyoptimal. When we use these we affect the world in such ways as to maximise well-being, assessed in terms of the realistic model.

Part 3 identifies how our current decision-making ideas, particularly those

involving economics and institutions, lead to behaviours that needlessly diminishpeoples well-being in various ways. These substantially disorient our value

perceptions so that our decision-making becomes disconnected from the real-world.

Part 4 discusses how, by adopting the optimal principles, we can transformour selves and our world so that we treat each other and the environment far better,

creating a far happier and safer world.


6/174

6 8-Sep-10

PART 1 - THE REALPROBLEM-SOLVING UNIVERSE

SCIENTIFIC APPROACH - THE VITAL ROLE OF THE REALWORLD IN OUR LIVES

This document aims to realistically describe the human situation and to show

our great scope for improving our lives. Despite mans intellectual progress it seemswe have not had adequate concept of the real world, nor of our situation.

We can identify a problem-solving universe, the real world within us and

around us that determines what well-being is and how we influence it. This operatesaccording to major patterns, or patterns of patterns. These patterns are intricate

involving several levels. Such patterns determine how we need to choose ouractions and information processes in order to maximise well-being. The real world

constantly changes, due to its own processes and how we influence it. It is the

dominant force in our lives, the ultimate authority, determining the worth of whatwe do or do not do. It is totally uncompromising in behaving according to its own

patterns, yet allows us to control it to a remarkable degree if we recognise and

respond to these patterns.This analysis also allows us to identify the imperfections in our current ideas

and arrangements. When we use inappropriate ideas we choose actions that lead toneedless diminishment of well-being, often because we do not understand

adequately the consequences of our actions.

In order to begin to simplify and understand the problem-solving universe,we can choose to partition it into two major features:

y The real physical universe;

y The ideas with which we choose our actions.Our actions affect the real world and this affects our experiences and our well-

being. Our problem solving is governed by an intricate interplay between the ideas

that we use to choose our actions and the real world that determines the resulting

well-being. While we cannot change the fundamental behaviour patterns of nature,we can substantially choose the ideas by which we decide our actions. If we are to

live happily and harmoniously, our decision-making ideas need to closely reflect thenature of the real world.

How we mentally engage with the world is vitally important. Our minds are

capable of very thorough and effective engagement with this real world but this hasnot been normal due to our ignorance and denial. Our mental engagement with the

world comprises:- Perceiving the real world;

- Modelling the real world;- Acting upon the real world;

- Sensing the effects of the real world upon well-being;

- Managing or controlling the real world, including ones knowledge of its

processes.

In fact we can think of the ideas with which we make our decisions as ourhuman software that closely parallels the software in computer controlled


7/174

7 8-Sep-10

machines. However, unlike that of machines, our software has not been compatible

with the hardware involving our muscles, things around us and the parts of us thatgenerate our feelings. It is this incompatibility that has created many needless

problems for us. We can however identify some ideas that do match the realities. Byadopting these, our lives and world will greatly improve.

The real world determines the major ways we influence each others well-being, and therefore our most important forms of relationship. Our real-worldrelationships conflict with some of our main traditional forms of relationship:

trading, ownership and institutional authority (which are actually based upon

unwarranted assumptions). When within our traditional relationships, we ignorethe realities, our behaviour frequently undermines well-being, causing needless

suffering, problems and confusion in many different ways (although some of usprofit financially from them).

Hence we cannot accept real world model without mentally conflicting with

established relationship modes of thinking, which we prefer not to do. We have beenstrongly indoctrinated into seeing the traditional relationships as our normality,

which has become for us a false reality. Much of the real world tends to be deniedand so has not previously been discovered nor fully recognised. Humanity has thusbeen locked in a mental and spiritual prison where we have not been connected

with reality and our established ideas deter us from discovering how to properlyrecognise the real world.

It is both possible and highly desirable for us to come to understand the real

world far better than we now tend to do. We will then experience a profoundspiritual and intellectual transformation. There remains relatively little mystery or

difficulty in managing our lives, relationships and problems. A complete and optimalphilosophy allows us to make decisions that maximise well-being so that we all live

as happily as possible.

Our current problems and needless suffering are due to the failure of ourminds to recognise the nature of the real world and to make appropriate decisions

based thereon.

We begin by looking at the real problem-solving world that comprises allaspects of the physical world that we both affect and that affect us. It includes the

physical aspects of our own bodies and minds, and of all the things around us, suchas plants, machines, railway systems, hospital facilities and our ecosystem. It also

includes the physical aspects of our own minds. Our overwhelming scientific

knowledge suggests that the many parts of this world behave according to naturallaws, ultimately those of physics. It is possible for us as problem solvers to

understand these behaviour patterns comprehensively.

It seems that problem solving essentially comprises information processing.It is possible for our minds to use information to closely represent our problem

solving situations. This information can be used to largely predict the consequencesof our potential actions. We can use this information to choose actions that have the

most desirable outcomes. Optimal decision-making involves making the best use of

the information and other resources available.

SUBJECTIVE NATURE OF DECISION MAKING


8/174

8 8-Sep-10

To understand our problem-solving processes properly, we need to combine

two viewpoints:1. The subjective view of the decision maker who faces a particular set of

choices and who has feelings and perceptions and perhaps anintention to act;

2. The objective view of the scientist or external observer who assessesthe scientific and ethical validity of the processes one uses.

We seek to objectively describe ones own subjective problem solving world

as if one is standing outside of ones self. We can then seek to consciously identify

the processes, especially the ideas, by which we can each best manage our problem-solving situations so that they are objectively valid. This includes identifying a

natural moral law that takes account of the value perceptions each person feels. Wecan use our objective scientific model to identify and overcome imperfections in our

subjective beliefs that we use to make decisions. For example one may assume

entitlement to privilege yet the objective model may imply this to be inappropriate:intellectually, socially and ethically. Optimising our ideas may require novel systems

and computer concepts. Having done so, we can conceptually return to oursubjective selves. We can then try these in our lives and assess their consequencesin practice. Again we may explore their ramifications objectively. Overall we seek a

philosophy that is valid both subjectively and objectively.Both our opportunities and our limitations are often particular to oneself and

to the situation at any juncture. What is appropriate for a well-informed, or for an

able bodied person may not be achievable by one who is not.

PHILOSOPHY OF SYSTEMS ANALYSIS

The science of human problems is far too extensive and intricate tounderstand using purely intuitive or armchair methods. However a very powerful

method from the technological sciences beautifully simplifies this task, that ofsystems analysis. This concept allows us to comprehend a world which mayotherwise seem formidably complex. Knowledge of systems often enables us to

predict the consequences of our actions so we can choose those that will lead to

better outcomes. Quite as importantly, it seems that systems concepts are necessaryfor us to discover and recognise the broad patterns by which our human universe

and indeed we individual humans ourselves function. While systems analysis isoften seen as highly mathematical, for our purposes we can focus more on its

philosophical principles.

Perhaps the most useful definition is: A system is an interconnectedcollection of physical objects. Examples of systems are innumerable: oneself, the

earth, the atmosphere above Australia, the electrical wiring in a house, a motor car,horse, farm, computer, teaspoon, bucket of water, or one's left arm.Some systems

are within us such as our muscles and various nerve networks while some are

external to us such as trees and tools.The systems concept is invaluable in six major respects:

y Systems behave according to definite patterns;

y Systems can be partitioned into several smaller systems or conversely several


9/174

9 8-Sep-10

can be merged into a new system;

y Systems affect each other;

y We can consider systems within us in a similar manner to those outside of ourbodies;

y We can often choose to influence, rearrange, or modify the systems within us

and around us;y This concept is easily extended to conceptualise multi-person situations such as

involve economics, politics or personal relationships.

Scientific knowledge suggests that the systems pattern applies to all physical,

biological, and technological objects and therefore to innumerable everydaypractical entities. System behaviours determine how our actions affect us and our

well-being: the better we understand them the better decisions we can make.We can think of systems as being the various building blocks that comprise

our problem-solving situations. Perhaps the greatest usefulness of systems concepts

is that they allow us to apply our very limited spans of consciousness to comfortablyand rigorously clarify and deal with complex and extensive problem solving

situations. We do this by concentrating upon the behaviour patterns of singlephenomena at a time, such as the behaviour pattern of a leaf or the interfacebetween a leaf and the air. We can merge many such pieces of information to

ascertain the consequences of our actions upon aspects of the world about us andupon people and well-being. For example we can seek to enhance crop growth by

identifying and modifying the processes involved. We can also break down complex

situations into small parts the behaviours of which can be understood.While systems are real things in the world, the main value of the systems

concept is that it allows us to conceptualise any real-world situation and to organiseour knowledge particularly as it applies to making decisions.

Although systems science became very popular during the 1960s it has since

substantially passed out of fashion. However this abandonment has perhaps beenpremature. To really make sense of systems science we arguably need to recognise

its application to subjective human decision making. In so doing we recognise that

the systems by which we influence the outer world, our muscles are within us anddirectly influenced in turn by our mental commands. In like manner the systems by

which our minds perceive human value and indeed all happenings are alsoembedded within our bodies and minds in the form of value sources, emotion

sources and sensors. It is perhaps only through our mental integration, where we

see our situations and problems in terms of interconnections of these internalsystems with the systems around us that we can truly make sense of our world.

SYSTEM BEHAVIOUR PATTERNS

Because they comprise physical collections of objects, systems behave

according to patterns.Some types of muscle respond to commands from the mind tocause movement or apply force. A steel beam exhibits patterns of stiffness and

strength. Nerve networks within us respond to what happens to us by generatingcertain feelings.


10/174

10 8-Sep-10

We can often understand or model the behaviour patterns of systems.Such

knowledge helps us choose actions that lead to more well-being and happiness.While the behaviours are features of the real-world systems themselves, we can

form information patterns in our minds or in computers or on paper that representhow those systems behave. A vast amount of scientific knowledge has been

discovered that identifies the behaviour patterns of systems ranging fromsubatomic particles to galactic bodies. As individuals we also learn many behaviourpatterns including those of our internal systems such as our muscles and of nerve

networks that generate feelings of pleasure or pain. With either type of such

knowledge we can predict how systems will behave in particular situations. Ifsystems are the same or sufficiently similar, we can assume that past behaviours

such as that of a vehicle or ones arm muscle will repeat themselves when they aresimilarly influenced on future occasions. We can often predict their behaviour and

that of the chains of systems that we affect and that also affect people and their well-

being. Because of the nature of the physical world, systems behave by processes ofcause-to-effect so that for any system, its outputs, its effects on other systems

depend upon its inputs, how itself is affected. Systems often affect each otherthrough elaborate chains of processes. Wheat for example can go through manyprocesses until it becomes bread on the table that is ready to eat.

Ultimately, system behaviours depend upon laws of physics. Different objectsor substances behave differently depending upon their inner nature such as

chemical bonds, their mass or magnetic properties.

The means by which a system is influenced can be regarded as its inputs,while the influences a system directly exerts on others are its outputs. The outputs

of one system are often the inputs to another. Thus the input to a wind-turbine isfast air and its output is slow wind and electricity. The inputs to a growing tree

include sunlight, water, nutrients and the impact by insects while the outputs may

include fruit, wood, oxygen and shade.For any particular system there may be various behaviour patterns. A system

will transmit mechanical forces that affect its strength and usefulness for building

structures or parts of machines. It may exhibit thermal properties according to howit responds to heat, stores heat, and transmits heat. They may exhibit electrical

properties depending upon how it conducts electricity. It may exhibit chemicalproperties as to how it reacts with or resists reaction with other chemical materials.

Biological systems behave according to the processes of living cells, each of which

has biological behaviour patterns itself. These determine how our bodies function,how plants grow and how pollutants affect us for example.Some neural systems

generate feelings depending upon messages received or upon ones direct

experiences. Muscles respond to neural inputs and produce outputs of force ormotion. Systems exhibit many other types of behaviour.

A system can be regarded as adopting various states, such as itstemperature, relative position, speed, or information pattern. The state may be

discrete, for example on or off in the case of a switch, or it may be continuously

variable such as a temperature or the height of a growing plant. We may change thestate of a system by changing its inputs. The state partly determines the behaviour

patterns or the outputs of the system.


11/174

11 8-Sep-10

SYSTEMS MODEL OF A HUMAN

We can use the very general capability provided by the systems concept todevelop a template model with which we can represent any problem-solving

situation. This gives us immense power to deal with our problems. We can then usethis model to select actions to achieve the most desirable outcomes.

The systems model of a problem typically includes one or more humanbeings, usually combined with systems external to us such as tools, materials,musical instruments, food, plants, buildings, machines, or the atmosphere.

For a physician the most convenient conceptual partitioning of the human

system is usually in terms of organs, such as the heart, lungs, brain, etc. However tounderstand problems we need a different way of conceptually partitioning our

selves into subsystems.Firstly we identify an Information Processing System (IPS) within each of us,

that corresponds to the mind. We can then identify four other sets of human

subsystems:a) muscles that can be voluntarily controlled;

b) sensors such as the eyes and ears;c) a novel type of system - value sources; andd) emotion sources.

Each of these is directly connected to the mind and together, comprise the systemsmodel of one human being. By suitable decision making we can utilise these systems

to optimise well-being. Many other body systems are outside of our control or

knowledge and we are not here closely concerned with them.Before we can proceed with our discussion of the human systems model, we

need to understand a little about the nature of information and informationprocessing. We therefore digress to introduce these concepts that are so vital to our

problem solving.

INFORMATION AND INFORMATION PROCESSING

When we examine the systems within a human, one type of system is verydifferent to the others. Most systems within us arguably behave according to

patterns that are determined by their physical makeup. These include our eyes,

feeling nerve networks and muscles, and stomach for example. However one systemis extremely flexible, its behaviour being essentially determined by ideas. This

vitally important type of system is the information-processing system. The

electronic computer is another major type of information processing system, givingus valuable insights into the nature of the mind. My broad assessment is that

problem solving is no more and no less than the processing of information.

What is information? To be useful, the messages we process must representreal-world happenings. I define information such as to comprise only messages that

can be reasonably supposed to represent real-world happenings or potentialhappenings. Not all messages people send to each other can be regarded as useful

information as many (that we will examine later) do not represent real-worldhappenings.

Information may closely represent innumerable aspects of reality including:


12/174

12 8-Sep-10

a) The current situation;

b) Behaviour patterns of the various systems within ourselves and our world;c) Predictions of the consequences of our various possible actions upon people

using a) and b) above.Of the great range of happenings and processes within and around us, our

minds are able to form representations of many of these. By using knowledge ofbehaviour patterns we can often effectively predict future happenings or makedecisions to change the courses of events in beneficial ways.

Information of various types constantly presents itself to our minds.

Information can vary from the intuitive and even tentative, to the highly precise,well-proven and scientifically established. Ones information processing system

receives information from the world through our sensors such as our eyes and earsand also, through other nerve networks, our feelings. Ones information processing

system also sends signals to ones muscles. These then affect the world about one

such as by walking along a path, erecting a shelf or steering a ship.Information processing is a fundamental feature of our nature. Observations

suggest we are very strongly driven by our nature to process messages at least, ifnot information. With many other creatures, humans evolved minds that canprocess information. It is the major component of a persons nervous system. This

theory suggests information processing is vital to our well-being and survival and isfundamental to problem solving, including:

a) the brain function and behaviour of all humans and other creatures;

b) our group, social, corporate, and economic behaviour;c) the behaviour of many machines;

d) mankind's entire advancement by way of scientific, technological, and culturalknowledge.

We use information when, for example, when we:

y look and listen before crossing a road;y decide to put on a coat;

y choose a seat arrangement while building a canoe; or

y calculate the amount of paint for a wall.However many human message processes are highly defective and

dysfunctional. Despite the importance and ubiquity of information in problemsolving, it has been very poorly understood. Huge industries provide us with

artificial information processing facilities such as computers, broadcasting systems

and telecommunications networks. Engineers understand the information processesin machines very thoroughly, at least intuitively. Office workers chiefly seem to

process information. Somehow information processing can benefit us. Yet we seem

to have overlooked the broader principles of information processing that apply toour human problem-solving activities. What information is, and how information

processing can make us better off seems not to have been clearly explained.The concept of information is inextricably bound to that of the Information

Processing System (IPS) where all essential problem solving occurs. We begin by

dealing with these abstractly, such as apply to both natural mental IPSs withinhumans and other creatures, and to computers such as may control machines.


13/174

13 8-Sep-10

An IPS is a physical system that is able to perceive system happenings

external to it, and represent them by symbols it can manipulate. It may thusascertain system behaviour patterns and use that information to predict

consequences of those happenings. It may apply rules or value criteria to selectactions from the range of those it can perform. These can influence systems external

to it, the responses of which we may observe.The term information in problem solving is not necessarily the same as that

commonly accepted in common usage, in communication theory, or in computer

studies. In human problem solving, we use information to shape our actions that

influence the real physical world and a more specific meaning is necessary.Information is here defined as comprising representations of aspects of the

actual physical universe including the inner world of our sensed feelings, or of

a contemplated physical universe that is sought. It also includes signals by which

the IPS influences the universe, such as those sent to muscles. It may represent past,

present, or future situations or events. It may also represent system behaviourpatterns. Information can represent happenings within us as well as those external

to us.Information does not herein include messages that merely pass from person

to person without having derived from the real world. Nor does it comprise

messages such as laws, votes, military commands, or prices. These derive fromartificial forms of relationship between people: trading, ownership or authority - I

will later argue to be unrealistic and inappropriate dogmas.

The natural information processing system within our minds behaves like acomputer in several respects. It can send or receive information, interacting with

other people or with machines. It can receive information from our feelings. It alsoreceives information from the outside world by way of various sensors such as ones

eyes, ears, taste buds and skin sensors. It can send commands to our muscles that

then affect the world around us. It can also store or manipulate information withlogic. It can form conceptual models of the many parts of the world (systems) we

become involved with including our own muscles, and external systems such as

tools, food items, buildings, trees, railways or the ecosystem.We can use these system models to mentally assemble a conceptual model of

any problem-solving situation. We can use this realistic information to largelypredict what outcomes will result from any of the many potential actions we may

choose. These outcomes typically involve some amount of good or bad, that is of

well-being. By gaining and using such information we can become conscious of thevarious processes in our lives.

Information is initially perceived by an IPS from some part of the real world.

Information cannot be manufactured from nothing.Information can be communicated from one IPS to another, retaining its

essential character. Communication requires the use of a common language or atleast the ability to translate from one to another.

Information Processing Systems perform elementary information processes

that can comprise:a) reception / sensing;

b) storage and recall;


14/174

14 8-Sep-10

c) logic and mathematical operations;

d) transmission to actuate muscles, devices or motors; and,e) control of its own operations.

For example information in the brain of a sea bird aloft may represent the processesof flying and diving for a fish. It uses knowledge of its muscles, its observed

environs, and learned knowledge of fish behaviour to control and to time itsmuscular actions to dive upon its prey.

Information processes typically use very small amounts of energy or mass

compared to the real world features they represent. They can therefore be very

rapidly and easily performed. To influence the external world, the minuscule energyin neural or microchip information is very greatly amplified so it can control

muscles or motors for example.An information processing system can be regarded as comprising an

interconnected collection of cells, each of whose states can be changed by objects

external to that cell. The state of a cell within an IPS will often be changed by othercells within the IPS. Some cells communicate information, receiving it from some,

then passing it to others. Information can be stored in memory cells from where itcan later be retrieved. Other cells perform logical or mathematical operations oninformation, for example enabling a person to choose to recreational swimming if

he feels hot AND if he is NOT starving. We can use elaborate combinations of thefew fundamental logical operations to model complex problems.

The mind is highly oriented towards perceiving and achieving value

according to its conceptualisation of good and bad. Each decision-making nerve cellhas a value orientation that enables or disables a subsequent set of similar neural

processes. This is within an overall context where information signals are enteringthe mind via the sensors and value signals are coming direct to the mind from value

sources. Such processing culminates in the enabling of a specific course of muscle

action and the corresponding disabling of other courses of muscle action.Such cells self-program to a degree by finding successful strategies, but in

humans we strongly influence each others cell programming by our person-to-

person messages, often due to our group cultures. We create highly contrived valueenvironments such as by trading and institutions for example the law which largely

shape our relationship behaviours.Sensor cells within the IPS can sense information enable us to know what

happens in the world about us. Thus their states are changed by objects external to

the IPS. Sensors in our eyes, ears, skin, nose, and in internal organs, enable us tosense light, sound, touch, smell or internal pain. Artificial sensors include cameras,

thermometers, microphones and movement detectors. An IPS gains information

either by directly observing the real world with its sensors or by receiving suchinformation from other IPSs.

Other cells, the output cells within the IPS, can change the states of objectsthat are external to the IPS. In creatures the outputs are almost always by way of

muscle actions. Thus one can send messages to one's muscles, commanding them to

run, operate a machine, or look out the window for example. These commands aretypically shaped by other information one has processed. Outputs from computers

can put images on screens, produce sound, or control motors, lights or switches, for


15/174

15 8-Sep-10

example. Our muscles may act upon systems external to us in some material way, or

they may otherwise send information to human or artificial IPSs.Information can be symbolic, comprising words or mathematical symbols.

Such symbols can be oral or textual, in some form of language. The choice ofsymbols for such representations is largely arbitrary, but is preferably simple and

concise and in total may correspond to a language. Information can also be pictorial.Information may take various physical forms such as electronic, marks on paper,sound waves, or chemical or physical states in nerve cells. These can often easily be

converted from one to another. For instance a microphone converts information as

sound waves into information as electrical signals.Information can be highly subjective in forms not readily communicated,

such as our feelings of pleasure or pain, or the command signals we send to ourmuscles. We are not typically aware of the symbols by which our brains encode such

information. Yet we reliably access and use it.

Poetry, fictional writing, music or movies do not usually represent the realworld and therefore do not fit our meaning of information. They may instead be

regarded as creating experiences that stimulate our value or emotion sources andcreate feelings that we may appreciate and value.

We face an almost infinite set of possible ways of manipulating the messages

and information available to us. However only a tiny fraction of these possibilitieswill be meaningful and useful.

The information processes we perform can be broadly shaped by some

philosophy, science or policy that reflects our mental ideas, beliefs or attitudes. Suchdecision-making ideas are crucial to our problem-solving. These correspond to the

program statements in computers. While the behaviour patterns of real worldsystems such as a spoon are determined by the characteristics of the materials and

physics of such objects, the behaviour patterns of IPSs and therefore of ourselves

are predominantly determined by the ideas, program statements or rules that havebeen programmed into them. Whereas the behaviour patterns of real world systems

are quite fixed, the behaviour patterns of IPSs are very flexible given our freedom to

choose their programming.Information processes, including muscle actions can be decided so that they

are enabled or inhibited at will. Our minds are faced with vast collections ofpotential processes. In effect we narrow down these to arrive at our actual

behaviours. It is our ideas that determine how we do this.

Taking a very broad look at the human universe, our outcomes aredetermined by two major factors:

1. the behaviour patterns of the physical universe;

2. the behaviour patterns of our IPSs that are themselves determined byideas and attitudes (DMIs).

Perhaps the major broad purpose of information is to develop conceptualmodels in our minds by which we may represent complex physical happenings in

which we are interested. In particular we want to know possibilities for gaining - or

otherwise not losing - value. Information is thus used to model real world processesand to predict possible states of the universe that may be sought or avoided.


16/174

16 8-Sep-10

POWER OF INFORMATION PROCESS ANALYSIS

It seems that certain principles of information processing apply to ourcomprehension of our mental processes:

a. Problem solving is essentially a matter of information processing.

b. Optimal Decision Making involves processing information such as to

maximise well-being. In solving our problems we can do no betterthan process information. (Information processing is overall the limitof our problem solving capability. But we fall far short of this limit.)

c. Whether as problem solvers or as scientists (who seek to understand

our nature and our problems) information is our only connection withthe realities that determine our lives.

d. Information process analysis looks straight through ourconscious/subconscious divide it enables us to gain insights into oursubconscious processes. Thus in objectively describing our

information processes we may consciously identify subconsciousprocesses that we cannot recognise subjectively.

e. Information enables us to identify our inner subjective realities suchas value sources on the same terms as our external or scientificrealities - as observable system behaviours.

INFORMATION AND KNOWING

The fact that we can know something about the world does not mean that wedo know it. We may choose to ignore the information that presents itself to us. Much

information about the world is difficult to discover. Much information in libraries or

the internet may still be unknown to us. We live in an environment where we canoften choose to gain information sometimes just about what is around us, or about

the behaviour of certain items. Yet should we choose, we can learn surprisinglymuch about the behaviour of a great many things around and within us. By such

means we can come to largely predict the consequences of a remarkably large

proportion of our actions.However much of what we may suppose to be knowledge is worthless and

even harmful because it does not reflect the real world.

UNCERTAINTY REDUCTION PROPERTY OF INFORMATION

Information exhibits an important property: a gain in information can reduceuncertainty. This fact has long been recognised in communication theory (Shannon,

1948, page 396).In problem solving we need to reduce uncertainty in three respects:

y uncertainty as to the realities around us;

y uncertainty as to actions to carry out;

y uncertainty that ones actions will be of high value.Uncertainty may be reduced in various respects: as to past, present, or future

happenings. To receive information say that the dog that bit you is black, reducesthe set of possible dogs in question. By gaining value information we reduce


17/174

17 8-Sep-10

uncertainty as to what is good or bad. Knowing system behaviour patterns, and the

present situation, we can often predict future happenings including the outcomes ofour actions. Given that we are initially faced with an enormous number of potential

actions that we could carry out, we need to reduce uncertainty to arrive at aparticular course of action. We wish to increase the probability and thus the

certainty that good rather than bad outcomes will occur.We can be tempted to adopt almost any problem solving ideas in order to

arrive at definite conclusions. Ideas do in fact lead to our selection of actions. But we

want to ensure that our actions lead not to just any outcomes, but to those that are

experienced as of high value. For this we need superior ideas.

GAINING INFORMATION ABOUT SYSTEM BEHAVIOUR PATTERNS

Crucial to problem solving is the process of an IPS learning the behaviour

patterns of real-world systems.Such knowledge may be used to predict the

behaviour of that kind of system on future occasions. Learned system behaviourpatterns are crucial to our everyday life such as a driver's knowledge of the

operation a vehicle, the knowledge needed to control his limbs, or growth patternsof plants. Much scientific knowledge also comprises such behaviour patterns and is

often represented mathematically.

The IPS can identify a system, observe influences (inputs) on it, andconcurrently or subsequently observe how the system responds (its outputs). The

IPS can develop an information model of the systems behaviour that representshow the outputs vary when different inputs are applied to that system, for example

how much a spring is compressed, when various loads are placed upon it. Upon

observing consistent behaviour of a system while it is influenced in particular ways,we may reasonably assume that to be a characteristic behaviour pattern of that

system in similar situations.

The information model may be at various levels of consciousness andexplicitness. It may be very subjective; a notion of how some system feels, for

example, the motorists knowledge of the responses of her vehicle to her steeringactions. Or the model may comprise a full understanding, such as an aircraft

manufacturer's comprehensive scientific description of an aircraft. The physical

laws applying to each part of a complex entity may be identified, together with theinter-relationships between the parts.

We can often experiment to stimulate the system of interest with a range of

inputs while observing its outputs to comprehensively determine its behaviour. Forexample we can test: the strength of a material, how quickly plants grow, or how

fast we can run. We can even discern behaviour patterns of systems within us such

as by recognising the feelings that result when one: eats chocolate or dives into coldwater for instance. In other instances we are unable to deliberately affect systems,

such as the weather. We can still however ascertain such system behaviour patternsby observing nature's effects upon it, and how it responds.

When the total behaviour of a system is not fully assessable, weather systemsfor example, the probability of a particular outcome may vary. For a given type of

input, a system may generate a variety of possible outputs, apparently at random.


18/174

18 8-Sep-10

The system behaviour may then be represented as a collection of probabilities

corresponding to the frequencies with which each type or level of output isobserved.

WHAT IS REAL?

Our success in problem solving depends crucially upon our using realisticinformation, upon how closely our information represents the real world. We needto predict how the world will respond to the actions we take.

Yet the nature of reality is subtle and we often depart from it throughignorance. This ignorance largely takes the form of numerous myths or dogmas that

contradict the realities and confuse us. Indeed our needless intractable economic

and social problems may be due to such departures. How then can we be realistic?The property of being realistic or not, applies only to concepts within IPSs

(Information Processing Systems), such as a person's mind, an artificial IPS such as a

computer, or to the cultural ideas shared between the interconnected IPSs of agroup of people. I suggest that in absolute terms a concept is realistic if it truly

represents the actual physical state of the real world we suppose it to represent. Ifour mental assessment of the risk of rain is realistic for example, it will closely

represent the actual events that occur in the storm clouds, allowing us to predict

that event reasonably accurately.The only reasonable basis for supposing a proposition about a system to be

realistic is the consistency with which it is supported by the data IPSs receive. Realworld systems tend to present us with signals as to what is happening with them

and about how they behave. If, in the course of problem solving, an IPS is able to

make many scientifically sound observations of aspects of its universe that in allcases indicate consistent behaviour patterns, then the information thus obtained

can reasonably be regarded as being realistic. Scientific observations

overwhelmingly suggest that the behaviour patterns of much of our universe areextremely consistent. The most plausible explanation of this consistency is that

there exists a real world comprising matter that behaves strictly according tonatural laws. Realistic assessments of the world depend of course on the IPS's

sensors also behaving consistently and predictably, and being realistically modelled.

To achieve realistic knowledge, our information processes must allow thereal world features to be properly represented in our minds. This requires that the

information sensing be adequate, and that messages thus obtained be properly

interpreted and manipulated, and not corrupted, lost, or misconstrued. Mostimportantly we need an openness of mind that allows ones IPS to use perceived

data to form representations of the world even if at odds with our pre-existing

notions.Being realistic is not only relevant to scientific areas of endeavour but can

be applied to any problem solving activity. Animals in fact rely upon having realisticmodels of their situation in order to obtain their food for example.

We will later examine how some very large parts of our society andbehaviour are based upon messages that do not truly emanate from the real world

but have gained currency by being accepted by people. They are then re-propagated,


19/174

19 8-Sep-10

becoming ever more widely accepted. Indeed the human predicament, and also the

possibility of revolutionary improvement hinge upon the abstract question as towhether such messages are valid.

HUMAN SYSTEMS REVISITED

Having developed some concepts of information processing especially inregard to our mental processes, we now examine some of the main types of systemwithin the human that are relevant to problem solving. However we will postpone

our discussion of the nature of emotion-sources.

HUMAN INFORMATION PROCESSING SYSTEM

We each embody an information processing system (IPS) comprising

innumerable neural circuits within our bodies and minds. This amazing instrument

is central to all we do. It receives information from within us including our feelings,from our surroundings and from other people. It can remember (store) information

and recall it. It can identify patterns and form mental models of many parts of the

world. Complex situations can be modelled in terms of these system behaviours sothat consequences of our potential actions can be predicted. Decisions are made

within it. It sends commands to our muscles that carry out the actions thatconstitute our behaviour. Some such actions convey information to other people or

record it in writing.

Ones mental information processing system is a very powerful instrumentfor examining the inner world including itself. We can become conscious of its

processes including the ideas and value perceptions it uses or experiences.Consciousness perhaps corresponds to ones formation of a mental construct of

ones inner processes themselves, a kind of shadow of what happens, yet a powerful

tool for exploring the inner self and communicating.

We also rely upon this instrument for engaging with each other. We canassess ones own feelings and communicate them but also empathise with the

feelings of other people and consider them in our decisions.Indeed there need be no significant mysteries to the world within us and

around us.This IPS:

y Receives information from the world through sensors including ones eyes andears;

y Receives information as to good and bad as feelings from value sources withinus;

y Is controlled by our Decision Making Ideas (DMIs) including our beliefs in muchthe same way that a computer is controlled by its program statements;

y Sends commands to actuate muscles that affect the world and our location;

y Carries out information processes including memory, logic, conceptually

modelling and predicting events around us, assessing value and decision making.


20/174

20 8-Sep-10

MUSCLES

The only way ones mind influences the world about us is through ones

muscles. The mind sends command signals to the muscles telling them what to do.The operation of the muscle results in some action, motion, force, or positional

location.

The mind subconsciously learns muscle behaviour patterns. The (usuallyinfant) mind, through experimentation discovers how to generate certain subjective

command signals that seem to make her muscles operate in certain ways. Sheobserves the actions that result and subjectively matches (correlates) these with her

command signals. Our minds thereby subjectively learn behaviour patterns of the

various muscles, that is how the muscle system outputs result from their systeminput commands. This behaviour pattern information thus takes the form of

subjective and un-describable (by the problem solver) command signals, associated

with the corresponding observed actions that result. Whenever we act, we rely uponthese learned muscular behaviour patterns to know which commands to send to our

muscles to achieve the actions we desire.

Muscles serve a dual role in problem solving. As well as influencing externalsystems through actions, ones muscles can transmit information to other human,

zoological, or artificial IPSs.

SENSORS

Sensors provide one's mind with information about the external world and

also non-value information about oneself. Ones eyes, ears, touch sensors, taste

sensors, and smell sensors allow us to receive great amounts of detailed informationabout what happens both to ones self and the outside world. Our sensors recognise

the existence and location of systems around us, and our physical relationship tothem. It is through our sensors that we can discover the behaviour patterns of

external systems. It is also through our eyes and ears we receive information from

other IPSs including the minds of other people.The mind infers and learns sensor behaviour, largely by receiving sensed

signals as observations and finding these consistent with other sensed happenings

and experiences. Sensor behaviour pattern information takes the form of inputswhich are actual happenings in the real world that directly impinge on the sensor,

together with visual images, sounds, taste and touch sensations that the sensorsends internally to the mind. Thus if the room is cold, ones sensors can send that

information to the brain.

VALUE SOURCES

Our systems analysis now enables us to profoundly clarify one of the mostimportant issues of concern to mankind, the lack of which underlies the immense

needless suffering and damage we inflict on each other and the world. This issue is

how we determine what is good or bad, essentially how can we realistically

identify the nature of human value. Our approach is to identify the nature of

realistic value information about what is good or bad.Such information forms themost appropriate basis for making decisions and also for identifying and estimating


21/174

21 8-Sep-10

well-being. My observations suggest that within each person, but conceptually

outside of ones IPS, are many fixed nerve networks that generate feelings that havea pleasure/pain aspect. These systems I call value-sources. These are affected by

what happens to us, our experiences, and they create and send feelings we perceiveas good or bad, directly to ones mind (IPS). Our pleasure or pain feelings are very

important to us and are crucial to our well-being.Our pleasure or pain is most closely associated with the effects upon our

value sources that cause these feelings. In seeking to describe well-being we

typically need to identify the experiences associated with it. I suggest the most real

and valid information about a persons well-being is indicated by these feelings. Thisinformation presents itself directly to our own minds (IPSs) as feelings of pleasure

or pain that are associated with the observed experiences, the direct effects of theexternal world upon us. Examples include enjoying music, feeling painfully cold,

hurting ones finger accidentally with a hammer or enjoying food or love. For each

specific type of experience we tend to perceive a certain amount of pleasure or pain.Ones IPS receives value information in a similar way as it can perceive

information about the behaviour of a system external to ones person; in either caseit observes the system inputs and outputs and identifies the relationship betweenthem. The input to a value source is the observed cause of the good or bad feeling,

namely an experience such as having ones hand in cold water. A big differencehowever is that the output of value source is a feeling that is deep within a persons

neural system. Unlike the outputs of an external system, say a burning candle, they

are not observable by other people.We can learn what feelings result from our own particular experiences and

estimate their desirability, in effect learning the behaviour patterns of our ownvalue-source systems. Pleasurable feelings add to well-being while pain subtracts

from it. Well-being tends to be proportional to the intensity and duration of these

feelings, how many times they are repeated and how likely they are to occur.Every waking persons mind is constantly presented with value data - a vast

basis for knowing what we like and dislike. It provides the original information as to

our well-being - how happy or unhappy we are. Our minds subconsciously form avast value catalogue that in effect lists the great variety of experiences we have

known or learnt about, and an amount of value, the desirability of the feelingsassociated with, and that we can reasonably presume to have been caused by that

experience. While we can also be conscious of it, this natural value data plays a key

part in our perceptions and in our decision making. It determines our motivations,often subconsciously. Pleasure feelings strongly motivate us to continue or to repeat

the experiences associated with them. Pain feelings can stress and agitate us, urging

us to act to avoid the experiences that cause them.We often tell ourselves and each other that various happenings that are

remote from us such as gaining money are good or bad, arguably erroneously. Butby becoming conscious of these information processes we can now readily

distinguish real value feelings from dogmatic ideas as to what is good or bad.

Our value sources are a vital part of our neurological and biological makeup.Along with those within many other creatures they evolved to provide our major

form of motivation, originally at least, corresponding closely to our biological


22/174

22 8-Sep-10

survival and procreation needs. They are integrally enmeshed with our information

processing minds and are vital to our understanding of ourselves.

PLEASURE / PAIN SIGNALS - ESTIMATION OF VALUE

The outputs of value sources are pleasure/pain feelings that can be regarded

as signals. It is their value magnitude, the amount of good, in which we are chieflyinterested. The type of value sensation is of less importance to us. We can comparethe value of each type of pleasure or pain. We can devise a simple calculus for

estimating the value (or utility) of the pleasure/pain signals, which later becomesour basis for decision-making and maximising well-being.

The most important aspect of a value perception is whether it is positive, that

is pleasurable, or negative and painful, whether it enhances or detracts from well-being.

Value feelings present themselves deep within our neural systems, at the

boundaries between our value sources and ones mind. Because of this we cannotaccurately measure their desirability in the way we can measure distance, time, or

wheat production, to within small fractions of one percent. Nor can we directlyobserve each others feelings or measure them accurately. In few cases can we be

confident of estimating the amount of pleasure that results from a single experience

within ten percent. Perhaps one may expect to establish the value to 30 percentaccuracy in absolute terms. However we will later see that precise estimations of

value are not crucial. Often it is sufficient for decision making simply to identifypreferences between experiences, the value of which typically differ greatly. When

choosing between an apple and an orange we do not need precise estimations of the

desirability of each. It is sufficient merely to know that eating one is likely to bemore enjoyable than the other, or that they are of similar desirability. Perhaps

however the aggregated preferences of very large populations may be estimated

more accurately with statistical techniques.At any instant the amount of value is proportional to the feelings intensity,

whether positive or negative. The overall desirability is also proportional to howlong a feeling of constant intensity lasts. However typical value feelings are like

waves, where the positive or negative desirability of a feeling builds up from zero,

reaches a peak, then diminishes back to zero. If one plotted a graph of the intensityof the wave versus time, the overall value of such a feeling can be regarded as the

area under the graph. (In scientific terms the total value is proportional to the time

integral of the intensity of the pleasure, with painful elements being calculated inlike manner but subtracted.)

Experiences often result in mixtures of feelings, the pleasurable adding

together and the painful subtracting from the total well-being. While bushwalking,pleasure from muscular exhilaration may add to that of enjoyable companionship,

occasional beauty, and sharpened enjoyment of food but be diminished by pain fromsore feet.

Value perceptions may seem to occur somewhat randomly, due perhaps tofactors external to us that we do not know about. Thus for a given experience, say

going to the beach, a certain amount of pleasure or pain may sometimes occur and


23/174

23 8-Sep-10

sometimes not. The value of such an experience may be assessed as the probable

value (or the Expected Value). This is the summation of each possible valuemultiplied by the probability that that value will occur.

Within ones IPS, one may compare the desirability of one experience withthat of another. Value feelings can be scaled subjectively. Although we have no fixed

yard-stick to measure them by, their very great number provides a moderatelyconsistent scale as to their desirability relative to each other. The task of measuringvalue can be likened to the imaginary task of establishing a scale of weight where we

lack weighing scales but where we can compare the weights of many diverse items

with each other. The scale exists, and can be established, but only by marking therelative position of each weight against it, so that each has the proper relationship to

the others. Thus we can compare the desirability of our innumerable experienceswith each other and seek to fit them to an imaginary value scale.

Upon such a scale we could seek an agreed unit of human desirability that

would be used to estimate and communicate human value. Such a unit would bevery useful in making decisions that affect other people. We would need to find an

experience whose desirability is quite consistent from one person to another thatwe could largely agree on. A boring hour, often experienced in the workplace - maybe chosen as the unit of value, albeit with a negative sign. Positive value perceptions

would be perceived as equivalent to the avoidance of X number of boring hours.The feelings that emanate from a value source tend to be associated with

specific types of, or levels of experience. Because feelings are so embedded within us

we can only identify or tag them through the experiences that we observe toinitiate their occurrence. Experiences must therefore be described sufficiently

precisely to distinguish between those that lead to different amounts of pleasure orpain. Often experiences that differ only slightly may differ considerably as to their

desirability. Thus the context of the experience, including one's mood and prior

experiences may need to be specified. Eating an icecream on a hot day after a longwalk may be much more pleasurable than eating one straight after Christmas

dinner. Typically the experience will most conveniently be described using ordinary

language.Experiences may interact so that the resulting well-being is not a simple

summation of independent feelings. Value sources are subject to satiation so thatthe enjoyment from eating a second icecream immediately after the first for

instance is typically diminished. On the other hand scenic beauty may be

disproportionately enhanced by certain music so the resulting pleasure exceeds thesum of the parts. Tastes may be acquired, so that for example pleasure from hearing

a piece of music may increase with further hearings of it.

The arts in their many forms are directed at presenting us with complexexperiences that bring us pleasure, or perhaps emotional feelings. Good artists

typically create works that evoke pleasure through their impacts upon their ownvalue sources. They likewise evoke similar pleasure when other people experience

their work. In the context of this theory we may regard poetry, music, fictional and

some non-fiction writing, or movies as experiences since they evoke feelings with avalue aspect. We therefore enjoy such art because our value sources match those of

the perceptive artist creator.


24/174

24 8-Sep-10

Interestingly while value sources are fixed neural systems within us, our

minds conceptually model them as well, forming a value catalogue that lists ourexperiences and the extent that we desire them.

VALIDITY OF VALUE INFORMATION

It is widely held that values are fundamentally different in character fromfacts. However this theory contests this view. In recognising that our mindsessentially deal with information, the supposed disjunction between facts and

values disappears. Although value sources are embedded within our nervoussystems, they are real physical systems external to the mind. As such they present

value information to the mind IPS in very much the same way that any system

external to people presents information to any information processing system. Infact a problem solver gains information about her value sources in much the same

way that a scientist gains scientifically valid information, say by observing the

behaviour of a corn plant. Both observe some input conditions: perhaps the corn'sambient light by the scientist, and her eating a meat pie. Outputs are then observed,

such as the corn's weight change and growth, and a taste sensation and alleviationof hunger with degrees of desirability, respectively. Each infers some behaviour

pattern of each system. In each case the persons IPS gains information as to the

behaviour of the observed system.The main difference is that one person's value feelings are not received by

another persons mind. They are subjective, and cannot be independently verifiedby another person. That value data presents itself subjectively however, does not

invalidate the observations of value source behaviour, providing one interprets such

messages realistically such as a scientist would do.We can moreover be objective in describing the system processes involved

and also the nature of that data. Its subjective character is due to our neural

makeup, where the outputs of our value sources, our feelings, are direct inputs toour minds. They are not normally observed by other people because they occur

deep within our neural systems. Value sources are just as much part of the physicalworld as plants, materials, weather systems, or any of the other entities that are

routinely subjected to scientific scrutiny. Value sources are the essence of our inner

reality and they complement, and are constantly influenced by, the readily observedsystems about us.

Information as to the behaviour of value sources is original and real, and is

the most valid kind of human value data available to us. It is quite unprocessed andunfiltered, and unexposed to processes that could introduce errors. This model is of

course highly human-centric and it is reasonable to suppose other non-primitive

creatures also have feelings of desirability to them just as we do. For evolutionaryreasons, their neurological architectures can be presumed similar to ours.

The validity of the value source concept is supported indirectly by theconsiderable consistency with which we each perceive particular value feelings

following similar experiences. While we cannot observe each other's value sourceswe each receive similar information in parallel with each other. By our each

experiencing the same sensations, say comparing the eating of a gumleaf with that


25/174

25 8-Sep-10

of a chocolate, our similar reports of their relative desirability suggests that

different people's value sources are quite similar. The arts provide further support.Artists present our value sources with highly specific experiences through their

paintings, music, poetry or literature, for example. The very considerableconsistency with which many of us enjoy particular art works, suggests that many

people each embody value sources that respond to those art works similarly.That value-source information is sensed imprecisely does not invalidate it. It

corresponds with actual value perceptions and goals far more closely than other

happenings. It is far better to use realistic, if imprecisely measurable variables to

assess value, than to use precisely known quantities, perhaps involving money forexample, that correspond poorly with actual well-being.

THE NATURE OF WELL-BEING

It is convenient to define a term, well-being, for the overall desirability of our

state of body and mind, how happy one perceives oneself to be. The previouslydeveloped concept of value information allows us to scientifically develop such a

concept. It is arguably what we live for, that which we would seek to maximise.Well-being corresponds to the extent that one feels good indicated by the

totality of one's value feelings. Well-being is generated by the value sources but

these in turn are influenced by the direct effects of the world upon us, of ourexperiences, which of course we can largely influence through our actions.

There is a subtle distinction between well-being and value information itself,although for practical purposes they are the same. The value information received

by one's mind is the measure of one's well-being but it is not the well-being itself. It

is good feelings themselves we live for that constitute our well-being; we do not livefor the information itself.Sending messages to ourselves that our well-being is high

is not necessarily the same as living enjoyably. But our minds know of our well-

being only by way of feelings from our value-sources.Our well-being depends through some value sources partly upon the state of

our health that can have been affected by much earlier actions such as smoking,eating or those causing other injury.

The concept of well-being can be applied to more than one person. While

value perceptions are initially presented to our individual minds, we cancommunicate them to each other. The overall good in a community can be regarded

as the summation of the well-being of each of its members. As for humans, it is

reasonable to suppose that animals also perceive well-being as depending upontheir experiences.

Our most real human goal, high well-being, is simpler and more modest than

we now often suppose. In seeking goals that are not experiences as ends inthemselves, such as positions of high authority, or gaining wealth for itself, we tend

to cause haphazard value perceptions and low well-being.Overall our (non-emotional) well-being is largely established both by

peoples actions and by the behaviour patterns of all the systems, including ourvalue sources, that our actions influence and that also influence us, such as how our

actions affect CO2, then climate, rainfall, forests, farms and food supplies. While we


26/174

26 8-Sep-10

cannot influence the behaviour patterns of the real world we can use our muscles to

interact with many features of the real world to our benefit.

MAINSTREAM PROBLEM-SOLVING - HOW ACTIONS AFFECT WELL-BEING

We can identify several levels of problem solving processes (not including

neuronal, molecular or other sub-psychological levels). These levels are:1. Physical;2. Message or Information processing;3. Ideological;4. Emotional.

These levels are essentially hierarchical with the later levels having some

controlling effects upon the previously listed levels.(Insert diagram)

The most fundamental is the physical level. This corresponds to a broad

pattern that underlies most problem solving activities, our mainstream problem-solving process. This pattern involves ones muscle actions affecting physical

systems external to us. These include for example a wide range of tools, plants,animals, machines, materials, buildings and the ecosystem. These external systems

in turn influence us and our value sources, the quite fixed nerve networks within us

that generate feelings of pleasure or pain. In very many different ways, ourmuscles affect objects around us that in turn affect ourselves and other people

and the neural circuits that generate our feelings and perceptions of well-

being.

Our scientific knowledge tells us that systems behave according to consistent

patterns that reflect their physical nature. When we affect a system in a certain wayit will behave the same as another identical system affected the same way. It is

because of the consistency with which systems behave that it is possible to

largely predict the consequences of our actions. This is the philosophical basis ofmodern professional engineering, upon which we critically depend for much of our

well-being and safety.This broad pattern is fundamental, applying to most of our purposeful

human situations including our personal, relationship and large scale problems both

when we interact and act to satisfy ourselves. (The main exceptions involve perhapsthe telling of jokes, stories or other activities that affect emotions.) It includes

activities we may do as individuals or in groups of all sizes. It includes:

y much of our economic activity, our production of goods and services includingmanufacturing, building, farming, transport;

y much of our personal activity including food preparation, house-cleaning,operating vehicles,

y much relationship activity including love-making;

y sports and much recreational activity;

y healthy living and also medical and dental treatment;

y artistic creative and appreciative activities.This pattern also includes harmful activities that undermine well-being that we

preferably would avoid:


27/174

27 8-Sep-10

y activities that harm the environment;

y careless behaviour that could lead to an accident;

y military activity;

y criminal or terrorist activity involving violence, destruction or burglary.

This mainstream pattern is also extreme important because it acknowledges

what really matters to us the desirability of our feelings. It thereby allows us torecognise our actual inner selves, of which each person is best informed and has mostnatural control.

This pattern arguably comprises our most important form of relationship

with each other. A great proportion of our actions affect other people, whether theyenhance or diminish their well-being. While we often suppose that our main forms

of relationship are those of trading (with money) or authority, I suggest the real-world impact of our actions upon each others well-being is overwhelmingly the

most significant. By optimising this relationship we achieve the most perfect form of

love by maximising well-being.This broad pattern applies also to actions that affect experiences long into

the future. Perhaps most conspicuously these include our impacts upon theenvironment and our consumption of unsustainable resources. They include alsobuilding and manufacturing processes, the products of which may be used well into

the future.Our well-being outcomes are determined by two broad sets of happenings:

y The actions we choose; and

y The behaviour patterns of the systems we affect. (Vast scientific

knowledge suggests this.)While we have much choice as to the former we have no choice as to the latter.

Ultimately we want to choose actions that have high value outcomes. It is by

identifying the behaviour of aspects of the real world in any particular situation thatwe can distinguish high from low valued courses of action.

Through our various actions the world around us changes, presenting uswith new environments that offer new opportunities for enhancing well-being. The

arrangements of systems constantly change as we move ourselves around and affect

the world in a myriad of ways. If one gets into a boat for example ones options andconsequences of those actions will be different to those that would occur if one stays

on dry land. Our problem-solving processes are very diverse. They can be as simple

as washing ones hands or as complex as landing someone on the moon. The sameessential sequence of cause-to-effect processes by which human actions lead to

desired experiences is seen. In achieving experiences, our value sources will satiateso that we decreasingly desire the experiences we previously longed for. Our world

does of course change also because of factors we do not influence and we need to

recognise and allow for these.This broad pattern leads to an immensely important conclusion: For each

action we carry out, the real-world generates value outcomes according to the

behaviour patterns of the systems one both affects and that influence people(or creatures). For different courses of action one may take at any juncture, the

value will typically vary.


28/174

28 8-Sep-10

THE INFORMATION PROCESSING LEVEL - RECOGNISING OUR

MAINSTREAM PROCESSES

Closely associated with this real-world level is our ability to comprehend,

conceptualise and often predict these processes and their outcomes. Just as actual

physical systems behave in particular ways, our minds can use information to build

models as to how s

Documents

The Coming Wisdom Revolution