Molecular theory of experience: Addressing the hard problem of consciousness

Problems of consciousness are broadly classified into two: easy and hard. The subjective nature of experience is considered the hard problem of consciousness. Although several theories of consciousness have been proposed, none seem to satisfactorily answer the hard problem. To address this, here I explore the molecular process underlying experience and the biological purpose it serves the entity. Based on the molecular and cellular mechanisms that constitute the cognitive process, I hypothesise that an entity has a subjective mental experience of an objective physical reality in two steps. First, the entity collects information regarding the physical characteristics of the context, via sensory organs, to produce a sensory experience. Second, it processes the information to infer the non-physical characteristics of the context, producing an affective experience. This process enables us to systematically identify factors that directly contribute to the subjective nature of experience and explore the hard problem of consciousness. Exploring the likely impact that an objective experience may bring about enables us to understand the significance of its subjective nature. According to this theory, the subjective nature of experience is likely to be responsible for cognitive diversity, providing the entities with a better chance of survival. In addition to the process and purpose of experience, the molecular theory addresses other characteristics of experience. Such as its ability to occur in the absence of physical reality and explains why experience accompanies functions of consciousness. Based on the molecular process of experience, consciousness can be considered as a set of cognitive processes that administer the non-genetic set of information required for the conscious entity to survive.