Formalisation of Damasio’s theory of emotion, feeling and core consciousness

• DOI: 10.1016/j.concog.2007.06.006
• Publication Date: 2007-08-09T08:21:05Z
• Authors: Tibor Bosse; Catholijn M. Jonker; Jan Treur
• Keywords: Representation; Dynamics

This paper contributes an analysis and formalization of Damasio's theory on core consciousness. Three important concepts in this theory are 'emotion', 'feeling' and 'feeling a feeling' (or core consciousness). In particular, a simulation model is described of the dynamics of basic mechanisms leading via emotion and feeling to core consciousness, and dynamic properties are formally specified that hold for these dynamics at a more global level. These properties have been automatically checked for the simulation model. Moreover, a formal analysis is made of relevant notions of representation used by Damasio. As part of this analysis, specifications of representation relations have been verified and confirmed against the simulation model.