Michael Kelly Toward A Meta-Theory of Mind Introduction Mirror neurons are so called because the same neural networks

have be en observed to fire in the human brain both when an action is observed or antici pated in another, and when that action is performed by the agent herself. When t hinking about how I could model the possible structure of such a network, an app ropriate initial framework seemed to me to be an information processing algorith m, taking a lead from the information processing metaphor for human cognition. F rom general information theory and Bowlbys concept of the Internal Working Model, I understood information to mean patterns of destabilization or state change thro ugh a system comprised of the sense organs, internal representational systems, a nd the musculoskeletal system. Conversely, I understood encoded information as p atterns of restabilising responses within procedural memory. This resulted in a dynamic where the more restabilising responses are encoded, the less resulting m usculoskeletal state change occurs, but the more sense organ state change takes place. This fits well with the phenomenon of confirmation bias, and also predict s a dynamic between the attentional spotlight and levels of arousal that fits the empirical evidence. Conversely, Theory of Mind is here modeled as a triad of inc reasingly self-recursive frameworks within procedural memory. I used a fractal f ramework to visualize how the logic of the above played out, being an establishe d mathematical way of describing systems of self reference that are stable yet m utually destabilizing. Applying directly to concepts of replication and the evol utionary process, this also enabled me to apply the resulting model to the wider , developing area of meme/teme theories of culture. Also, I have found the conce pt of procedural memory codes as patterns of restabilising responses to destabil izing stimuli to fit well with contemporary empirical reviews of Freudian theory of the unconscious. Furthermore, I have found this model to be apparently capab le of describing phenomena from the fields of attachment theory, discourse analy sis, emotion research and semiotics, and may also come to be continuous or at le ast complimentary with developing theories of consciousness as a Godelian infini tely recursive framework of self reference. Specifically, the structure that eme rged from this line of inquiry were coupled together Koch and Sierpinskis Gasket fractals. Formerly speaking, what I have been attempting to describe is a meta-T heory of Mind process, primarily unconscious for an individual but

potentially emerging as a conscious framework through pattern recognition guided by application of the hyothetico-deductive spiral, yet within a purely determin istic, free will free process of iteratively exploring the Sierpinskis gasket fract al via movement through a Koch snowflake fractal (Fig 1). The Model Fig 1. A Met a-Theory of Mind in terms of coupled together Koch & Sierpinskis Gasket fractals

mssc: musculo-skeletal state change ssc: sensory state change