Subconscious

The subconscious is the mind's automatic processing layer — everything that doesn't require conscious attention. CF, with Oism, treats the subconscious as a powerful computer that runs automatized skills.

What the subconscious does

• Automatized skills. Walking, typing, recognising patterns.
• Pattern matching. "This looks like X."
• Intuition.: Fast, often-accurate judgements.
• Memory retrieval. Bringing up relevant information.
• Emotional processing. Generating feelings.

What it doesn't do

• Unit-economy items. Things needing conscious attention.
• Voluntary control. You can't directly command it.
• Verifiable reasoning. It's not transparent.

CF's interest

CF uses the subconscious for:

• Skill practice.: Automatize good reasoning patterns.
• Bias management. Subconscious patterns can be sources of bias or resistance to bias.
• automatized-knowledge.: The goal is good patterns automated.
• intuition. Useful when built on good patterns; misleading otherwise.

Terminology clarification

CF's Terminology Clarification Regarding the Subconscious notes:

• "Subconscious" is a vague term. CF uses it for the broad automatic-processing layer.
• "Unconscious" is sometimes used differently (e.g. repressed memories).
• "Automatic" is more precise: it specifies what kind of processing.

Common pitfalls

• Treating subconscious outputs as authoritative. They're IGCs at best.
• Ignoring subconscious patterns. They affect you.
• Trying to reason directly about subconscious processes. They're not transparent.

"Conscious and Subconscious Ideas" is a CF essay title. — criticalfallibilism.com