From: Matt Mahoney (matmahoney@yahoo.com)
Date: Tue Mar 03 2009 - 19:36:11 MST
--- On Tue, 3/3/09, ' ' <justin_benedict@hotmail.com> wrote:
> Of course there is consciousness... right?
It depends on what you mean by "consciousness". How would you be different if you didn't have one?
Of course it doesn't matter how you answer. Either there is a difference that others could detect, or there isn't.
If there is a detectable difference, then there is no reason that we couldn't create a machine that simulates you and passes whatever test for consciousness you propose.
If there is no detectable difference, then there is no sense in asking the question.
I think your real question is "will I die?" which is understandable since we are programmed to fear death.
-- Matt Mahoney, matmahoney@yahoo.com
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