On Thu, Dec 22, 2011 at 10:34 PM, Jason Resch <jasonre...@gmail.com> wrote:
> > > On Thu, Dec 22, 2011 at 11:21 PM, Joseph Knight <joseph.9...@gmail.com>wrote: > >> >> >> On Thu, Dec 22, 2011 at 6:13 PM, Jason Resch <jasonre...@gmail.com>wrote: >> >>> Joseph, >>> >>> I found your post very interesting. While I agree with your conclusion, >>> how I get there is a little different. >>> >>> I think that at the time all of Alice's neuronal firings are triggered >>> by random particles she is a zombie. It is less clear in the case of a >>> single malfunctioning neuron. This is because of the modularity of our >>> brains: Different sections of the brain perform specific functions. Some >>> neurons may serve only as communication links between different regions in >>> the brain, while others may be involved in processing. I think that the >>> malfunction and correction of a "communication neuron" might not alter >>> Alice's experience, in the same way we could correct a faulty signal in her >>> optic nerve and not expect her experience to be affected. I am less sure, >>> however, that a neuron involved in processing could have its function >>> replaced by a randomly received particle, as this changes the definition of >>> the machine. >>> >>> Think of a register containing a bit '1'. If the bit is '1' because two >>> inputs were received and the logical AND operation is applied, this is an >>> entirely different computation from two bits being ANDed, the result placed >>> in that register, then (regardless of the result) the bit '1' is set in >>> that register. This erases any effect of the two input bits, and redefines >>> the computation altogether. This 'set 1' instruction is much like the >>> received particles from the super nova causing neurons to fire. It is a >>> very shallow computation, and in my opinion, not likely to lead to any >>> consciousness. >>> >> >> I see what you are saying here, but I don't think this counterargument >> works because the wiring (i.e. logical rules) of Alice's neural network >> have not themselves been changed by her malfunctioning -- only the >> individual inputs themselves. The way those inputs are processed has not >> changed. >> >> > > If every neuron is processing only inputs generated by the exploded star > then the neurons might as well be completely isolated > If the logical rules are processing these star-generated inputs > (equivalent to input generated by a "set 1" instruction) then there would > be no deep computations, no recursion, etc. Would you argue that Alice's > neurons firing in complete physical isolation from each other could create > conscious? > Assume each neuron fires at the same times it would if it were still in > Alice's functioning mind. > > I am truly agnostic. I really have no earthly idea. But assuming computationalism, as in the MGA, I have to say yes. With this assumption, the particular physical implementation of a program, however bizarre, is not relevant -- only the execution of the algorithm matters. As Bruno has emphasized again and again, if you reject this, then you reject comp as well. What you say is interesting though, because I think it bears on the issue of the unity of consciousness<http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/consciousness-unity/>. Perhaps such a completely disconnected brain would be incapable of experiencing what we humans call the" unity of consciousness". > Jason > > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "Everything List" group. > To post to this group, send email to everything-list@googlegroups.com. > To unsubscribe from this group, send email to > everything-list+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. > For more options, visit this group at > http://groups.google.com/group/everything-list?hl=en. > -- Joseph Knight -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Everything List" group. To post to this group, send email to everything-list@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to everything-list+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/everything-list?hl=en.
