Bergson, “Matter and Memory,” Chapter 2: Reconceptualizing Images - Can Consciousness Dwell in Artificial Intelligence?

I would like to try to interpret the second chapter of Bergson's “Matter and Memory,” “Reconceptualizing Imagery,” from the perspective of memory, artificial intelligence, and information science.

First, I would like to address the question of whether consciousness can dwell in artificial intelligence. Based on Bergson's “Matter and Memory,” it is unlikely that consciousness resides in artificial intelligence. This is because Bergson states that memory persists under two different forms in the past, and he believes that there are two types of memory: the first type is memory stored in motor mechanisms, and the second type is independent memory.

So-called consciousness, as Bergson described it in “Creative Evolution,” is related to independent memory. This is what is called true persistence or pure memory, an element that Bergson places great emphasis on. Human consciousness is based on this independent memory, which is metaphysical and therefore cannot be stored in space. Therefore, it cannot be captured by mathematical operations or methods that deal with space. From this, we can conclude that consciousness and evolution cannot reside in artificial intelligence.

On the other hand, the memories processed by artificial intelligence are those stored in the first type of motor mechanisms. For example, weighting matrices in supervised learning and center-of-gravity points in clustering are all memories based on motor mechanisms and stored in the body. They underpin reflexive cognition and action, and are similar to the “System 1” described by economist Daniel Kahneman.

If Bergson were around today, he would probably say that pure memory cannot be handled by artificial intelligence. Pure memory cannot be stored in space or on a hard disk and therefore cannot be reproduced by artificial intelligence. This is why artificial intelligence is fundamentally different from memory based on motor mechanisms. Thus, we can conclude that artificial intelligence cannot have consciousness.

Thus, Bergson views consciousness and memory as a dual structure, with pure memory playing an important role for human consciousness. On the other hand, artificial intelligence can deal with memories based on habitual motor mechanisms, which are related to repetitive behaviors and learning. According to Bergson, this is what marks the essential difference between humans and artificial intelligence.

Bergson also argues that consciousness and creativity do not reside in artificial intelligence; these are based on metaphysical memories. For example, the act of seeing something and recalling it, or hearing something and recalling it, are deeply related to artistic and creative activities, which depend on independent memory. Such memory, unlike the mere accumulation and processing of physical data, resides in the deeper layers of consciousness.

Furthermore, Bergson states that memory is not completely lost even when the brain is damaged. Brain damage primarily affects memories based on motor mechanisms; independent memories are not as affected. This is supported by the fact that people with mental nets also do not lose their memories, only their motor skills.

Thus, Bergson's theory of memory provides an important perspective for understanding the complex relationship between consciousness and memory. Based on his theory, artificial intelligence can handle memory based on motor mechanisms, but not independent memory, or pure memory. This reveals why artificial intelligence cannot replicate human consciousness and creativity.

After all, artificial intelligence is limited to the first type of memory, i.e., memory based on motor mechanisms, while human consciousness is deeply involved in the second type of memory, i.e., independent memory. This is the fundamental difference between artificial intelligence and human consciousness. Bergson's philosophy provides important insights into the limitations of artificial intelligence and emphasizes the specificity of human consciousness and creativity.

Bergson argued that consciousness and memory are deeply connected to the evolution of life. His concept of “creative evolution” is based on the idea that life is not merely a physical process, but evolves through persistence and creation. Life continues to create the future based on past experiences, and pure memory is essential to this process. Pure memory allows past experiences to be replayed in the present consciousness, facilitating new creation and development.

Thus, Bergson's philosophy provides an important perspective for understanding how human consciousness and memory are linked to the evolution of life. He believed that consciousness transcends the physical world and serves as a link between the past and the future through pure memory. This understanding has important implications for contemporary developments in artificial intelligence and information science.