Psychosocial and philosophical Publications
Selected published paper on psychosocial and philosophical subject that have been recently published in peer reviewed journals.
Can AI ever become conscious?
Farhadi A. Qeios, https://doi.org/10.32388/UJAHLZ, Preprint
Nearly 70 years ago, Alan Turing predicted that computers would one day possess the processing power to convincingly mimic human intelligence, a vision that has largely come to fruition. However, he also recognized a fundamental limitation: machines may never achieve true self-awareness or become the subject of their own thoughts. As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to advance, discussions surrounding machine consciousness and existential risks have gained new urgency. The central question remains—can AI ever achieve true consciousness, or will it always remain a simulation of intelligence without genuine self-awareness and agency? The implications of this debate extend beyond technology into philosophy, ethics, and the very definition of consciousness, challenging us to reconsider what truly separates human cognition from artificial intelligence.
Shell and Core Model of Subjective Well-Being: Extending the Reach of Happiness Beyond the Field of Positive Psychology
FarhadiA. Neuropsychiatry 2023, 13(4)
Dr. Ashkan Farhadi's Shell and Core (S&C) Model of Subjective Well-Being (SWB) offers a comprehensive framework to understand the multifaceted nature of happiness. This model delineates three primary components:
Shell of Happiness: Represents experiential happiness, encompassing positive emotions derived from interactions with one's environment.
Core of Happiness: Denotes inner happiness, reflecting stable, intrinsic contentment.
Happiness Suit of Armor (HSOA): An interface layer comprising coping and defense mechanisms that safeguard the core of happiness.
The S&C Model emphasizes the dynamic interplay between external experiences and internal well-being, suggesting that while external factors can influence one's happiness, the core remains relatively stable, protected by the HSOA. This model serves as a unifying framework, capturing various aspects of happiness and extending its application beyond positive psychology into broader medical and clinical settings. It provides a structured approach to assess and enhance well-being at both personal and population levels, identifying key personality traits and coping mechanisms that contribute to overall SWB.
By integrating these perspectives, Dr. Farhadi provides a holistic understanding of happiness, bridging theoretical models with actionable strategies to enhance subjective well-being.
Awareness-based Choice Selection:
Improving Decision-making Efficiency by Using Known Information
Farhadi A. Publishing, Current Psychology
This study explores the mechanisms of selective awareness and their role in enhancing decision-making efficiency, building upon the Trilogy of Consciousness (TTC) framework. The research focuses on two key processes: Awareness-Based Choice Selection (ABCS), which improves decision accuracy, and Discretionary Selection of Information for Awareness (DSIA), which directs attention to relevant stimuli. An online survey of 204 participants revealed that subtle cues could guide attention (via DSIA) in 59-73% of cases, demonstrating that awareness is not passive but actively shaped by selective focus. Additionally, ABCS was shown to increase decision accuracy, distinguishing it from random or algorithm-based selection, while repetitive exposure to information alone did not significantly improve choices. These findings underscore that effective decision-making relies not just on knowledge but on the ability to selectively process and prioritize information. The study offers new insights into cognitive science and artificial intelligence, highlighting how human awareness-driven choices differ fundamentally from deterministic or algorithmic selection in AI. This research lays the foundation for further exploration of consciousness, decision-making, and their applications in both human cognition and AI development.
The Evolution of Consciousness Theories.
Farhadi, A. Preprints 2022, 2022110330. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202211.0330.v1
Consciousness is commonly defined as the awareness of oneself and the surrounding environment, yet its true nature remains a subject of ongoing debate. Various theories of consciousness attempt to explain its mechanisms, ranging from information integration models to those requiring cognitive agency and self-awareness. Some theories view consciousness as a graded phenomenon, while others equate it strictly with the content of awareness. With the rise of artificial intelligence (AI), the boundaries of consciousness have become an even more pressing topic, raising questions about what truly differentiates natural intelligence from machine-based cognition. By examining major theories of consciousness, this work explores the intricate relationship between awareness, attention, and the sense of self, offering insights into the fundamental principles that define human and artificial consciousness.
Physical Libertarianism: Redeeming the Illusion of Free Will Back into Reality.
Farhadi A. J Psych Neurchem Res 1(3):1-11.
This article challenges the deterministic view of free will, proposing an alternative framework called Physical Libertarianism—a paradigm of consciousness that reconciles free will with the laws of cause and effect. While many scientific and philosophical theories, such as determinism and compatibilism, argue that free will is either an illusion or governed by randomness, this manuscript presents a model where true free will emerges through awareness-based choice selection and intentional attention. Under this view, consciousness is not exempt from causality but is instead a product of structured decision-making, setting natural intelligence apart from artificial intelligence. Unlike AI, which operates within deterministic frameworks, human consciousness involves a deliberate selection of information and intentional focus, affirming that free will is both real and essential to moral and social responsibility. This perspective reshapes the discourse on consciousness, choice, and agency, offering a compelling argument against the reduction of free will to either mechanistic determinism or quantum randomness.
Trilogy: A New Paradigm of Consciousness.
Neuropsychiatry 2023 13(5): 1-15.
Trilogy Paradigm of Consciousness presents a groundbreaking perspective on the nature of consciousness, redefining it as the interaction between awareness and decision-making. Unlike traditional theories that conflate consciousness and awareness, this model differentiates the two, proposing that true free will emerges from the deliberate selection of awareness-based choices (ABCS) and intentional attention (DSIA). These intertwined processes form the core of consciousness, distinguishing Natural Intelligence (NI) from Artificial Intelligence (AI). According to this paradigm, the mind operates unconsciously, compiling mental functions, while consciousness exists only in the presence of ABCS and DSIA, shaping the sense of self ("I"). This novel approach challenges existing views in philosophy, cognitive science, and AI, providing a structured explanation of how conscious decision-making separates human cognition from artificial processing. By framing consciousness as an emergent faculty of selective awareness and volitional decision-making, the Trilogy Paradigm offers a fresh lens for understanding human intelligence, free will, and self-awareness.
There is no “I” in “AI”
AI & Soc (2021)
In this article "There Is No ‘I’ in AI," Dr. Farhadi challenges the growing perception that artificial intelligence (AI) can replicate or surpass human cognition, emphasizing that true intelligence requires more than just information processing and decision-making. While AI can analyze data, reason, and execute tasks, it fundamentally lacks the essence of self-awareness and volitional choice—what Dr. Farhadi defines as “I.” This unique entity consists of two intertwined mental processes: Awareness-Based Choice Selection (ABCS), which enables true free will within the chain of causality, and Discretionary Selection of Information for Awareness (DSIA), which allows intentional focus and selective perception. Together, these functions form the core of consciousness and self-awareness, distinguishing Natural Intelligence (NI) from AI. Without “I”, AI remains an advanced computational system, devoid of genuine self-recognition or autonomy beyond programmed logic. By highlighting this fundamental difference, Dr. Farhadi’s work offers a compelling perspective on the limitations of AI and the irreplaceable role of human consciousness in decision-making and self-awareness.
Is Happiness Overrated? The Duality of Reasons Behind Our Actions
Farhadi A. International Journal of Medical Science and Health Research Vol. 3, No. 02; 2019
What is the real motive behind our actions? Aristotle believed happiness to be the ultimate goal of life and the pursuit of happiness serves as the primary motive for our daily activities. It is not surprising that we all desire an optimal state of well-being and a fulfilling life. Whether we support a hedonistic approach, finding happiness through the attainment of pleasure and the avoidance of painful experiences, or a eudemonic approach, where happiness stems from self-realization and optimal life functioning, our actions are driven by a combination of Hedonic and Eudemonic Motives for Activities, or HEMA.
Exploring the Self-Reported Well-Being Attributes in Anxiety and Depression
Farhadi A. Exploring the Self-Reported Well-Being Attributes in Anxiety and Depression. Open Science Journal of Psychology. 2018; 5(3): 28-37.
This article discusses how the overall sense of subjective well-being and most well-being attributes in our study were negatively associated with both self-reported and objective assessment of anxiety and depression. In addition, household income showed a negative correlation with the prevalence of anxiety and depression. In this study, we demonstrated that SWB and several well-being attributes that contribute to the sense of overall contentment are negatively affected in those with anxiety and depression. We also established that household income was negatively correlated with the prevalence of anxiety and depression. Recognizing the specifics of the disturbed personality traits could open a new horizon for helping these individuals using more specific forms of psychological interventions.
Connecting our gut feeling and how our gut feels: The role of well-being attributes in Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Farhadi A, Banton D, Keefer L. Connecting our gut feeling and how our gut feels: The role of well-being attributes in Irritable Bowel Syndrome. J Neurogastroenterol Motil. 2018;2: 289-298.
This article effectively demonstrates that subjective well-being, along with several well-being attributes that contribute to an overall sense of contentment and life satisfaction, are negatively associated with the prevalence of gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms and the disorder known as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Furthermore, the relationship between subjective well-being and both GI symptoms and IBS persists independently, even when accounting for factors such as anxiety and depression. These well-being attributes, as well as the inherent sense of subjective well-being, may play a significant contributory role in the clinical expression of GI symptoms or IBS, which aligns with the biopsychosocial model of the disease, suggesting a complex interplay between biological, psychological, and social factors.
The Factors Involved in the Sense of Subjective Wellbeing (A Survey of 250 Subjects
Farhadi A, Mobarhan S. The Factors Involved in the Sense of Subjective Wellbeing (A Survey of 250 Subjects). World J Social Sci. 2017 Jan 4;1;14-21.
This article explores the universal aspects of happiness and life priorities across different demographic groups. The research found that despite variations in age, gender, geographical location, socioeconomic status, and education levels, individuals consistently prioritize similar values and sources of happiness. This suggests that the fundamental aspects of well-being remain largely universal, transcending external circumstances and cultural differences. The study highlights the common human experience of seeking fulfillment and happiness, reinforcing the idea that well-being is deeply rooted in shared intrinsic values rather than external conditions alone. These findings provide valuable insights into the psychological and social dynamics of happiness, contributing to a broader understanding of subjective well-being across diverse populations.