I have no doubt that if you did the experiments you describe, that the
brains would be rearranged consistently with your predictions. But what
does that say about consciousness?
What are you asking about consciousness?
----- Original Message -----
From: "Matt Mahoney" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <agi@v2.listbox.com>
Sent: Monday, November 17, 2008 1:11 PM
Subject: Re: [agi] A paper that actually does solve the problem of
consciousness
--- On Mon, 11/17/08, Richard Loosemore <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
Okay, let me phrase it like this: I specifically say (or
rather I should have done... this is another thing I need to
make more explicit!) that the predictions are about making
alterations at EXACTLY the boundary of the "analysis
mechanisms".
So, when we test the predictions, we must first understand
the mechanics of human (or AGI) cognition well enough to be
able to locate the exact scope of the analysis mechanisms.
Then, we make the tests by changing things around just
outside the reach of those mechanisms.
Then we ask subjects (human or AGI) what happened to their
subjective experiences. If the subjects are ourselves -
which I strongly suggest must be the case - then we can ask
ourselves what happened to our subjective experiences.
My prediction is that if the swaps are made at that
boundary, then things will be as I state. But if changes
are made within the scope of the analysis mechanisms, then
we will not see those changes in the qualia.
So the theory could be falsified if changes in the qualia
are NOT consistent with the theory, when changes are made at
different points in the system. The theory is all about the
analysis mechanisms being the culprit, so in that sense it
is extremely falsifiable.
Now, correct me if I am wrong, but is there anywhere else
in the literature where you have you seen anyone make a
prediction that the qualia will be changed by the alteration
of a specific mechanism, but not by other, fairly similar
alterations?
Your predictions are not testable. How do you know if another person has
experienced a change in qualia, or is simply saying that they do? If you
do the experiment on yourself, how do you know if you really experience a
change in qualia, or only believe that you do?
There is a difference, you know. Belief is only a rearrangement of your
neurons. I have no doubt that if you did the experiments you describe,
that the brains would be rearranged consistently with your predictions.
But what does that say about consciousness?
-- Matt Mahoney, [EMAIL PROTECTED]
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agi
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