Gilberto de Paiva gilbertodpaiva@gmail.com http:www.gpaiva.com 

## Abstract

I propose that pattern recognition, memorization and processing are key concepts that can be a principle set for the theoretical modeling of the mind function. Most of the questions about the mind functioning can be answered by a descriptive modeling and definitions from these principles. An understandable consciousness definition can be drawn based on the assumption that a pattern recognition system can recognize its own patterns of activity. The principles, descriptive modeling and definitions can be a basis for theoretical and applied research on cognitive sciences, particularly at artificial intelligence studies. 

## Introduction

The study of the mind needs overall accepted scientific basis from natural physical basis. This article proposes the fundamental principles to build a scientifically robust theory of mind based on the widely known mechanisms of pattern recognition. I propose that the concepts of pattern recognition, pattern memorization, instinct patterns and pattern processing is a set of key scientific principles to understand the mind functioning. To demonstrate the scientific value of the proposed principles, I also propose a descriptive picture for the functioning of the human, animal, and artificial mind, developed from these principles. The theory includes a **comprehensive consciousness definition from physical basis**, one of most controversy scientific questions ever. The consciousness definition proposed in this theory is based on the assumption I developed that, **a mind modeled as pattern recognition system can recognize its own pattern of** 
mental activity. Other definitions and descriptive solutions to other fundamental questions on cognitive sciences known as easy and hard problems are also discussed. The mind functioning principles proposed here brings is a serious attempt to answer the fundamental scientific questions on the field of cognitive sciences, philosophy of mind, artificial intelligence, biology of mind, and other related areas of mind and brain research. This proposal is scientifically important in the effort to set a scientific foundation on the mind research from the theoretical point of view, since actually no physical concept is predominantly accepted as the basis for the cognitive science. The concepts and definitions proposed here can be useful as an anchor model to others theoretical and applied studies which actually have little theoretical support to base their work. 

Fundamental Principles and mechanisms of the functioning of the mind: 

## 1 - Mental Patterns

The functionality of pattern recognition is actually a scientifically accepted mechanism that performs important role in biological neural systems, and in parallel is actually a very established computer application been a top area at artificial intelligence research. So, the manifestation, existence and functionality of the pattern recognition mechanism is a very established scientific fact. 

There is no serious doubt that the brain has the ability to recognize patterns, react to patterns, remember patterns, repeat patterns, associate patterns, etc. Conceptually, experiments and scientific observations with human and animals since Pavlov and Hebb until today, and several models from artificial neural mechanism to neural networks, and even traditional computer artificial intelligence also show, incorporate, work or implement the concept of pattern recognition and processing. So, the aspect and property of pattern recognition is a very established concept about the mind, generally related to the concept of perception. 

Specialized publications on neurobiology and psychology1 and theoretical and applied recognition systems2 shows how active is the research on the field of pattern recognition. Various scientific studies on mind research works with the concept of pattern recognition or deals with it through their argumentation in a very broad sense. But none yet took the mechanism or the concept as a fundamental explanatory basis for the functioning of the mind. 