Effing the ineffable: an engineering approach to consciousness

This article supports the idea that synthesis, rather than analysis, is the most powerful and promising route towards understanding the essence of brain function being understood at all. It discusses ‘understanding by doing’, outlines a methodology for the use of deep computer simulation and robotics in pursuing such a synthesis, and then briefly introduces the author’s ongoing, long-term attempt to build a neurologically plausible and hopefully at least subconscious being, whom he hopes will eventually answer to the name of Lucy.