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I can't help feeling that consciousness and more generally an "internal world" arise in a gradual manner as the brain gets more complex. Unfortunately it seems

• WalterBright 4y ago
  I.e. it's an emergent property. Likely so. And then selected for. But consider the programmable computer. It is far more effective than its predecessor single purpose electronic machines. Consciousness is perhaps the brain being able to reprogram itself, i.e. adapt, which works a lot better than hardwired algorithms.
  • uoaei 4y ago
    If it is gradual and emergent as you say, then where do you draw the line between an "unemerged" system without consciousness, and an "emerged" one with consciousness? Doesn't Occam's razor demand that we must assume the distinction is only of degree, and not of kind? If it were the latter distinction, you would have to have three theories -- one for unemerged, one for emerged, and one for the transition between the two. Having one theory (everything is at least infinitesimally conscious) seems much more appropriate given our current understanding of the science and philosophy of consciousness.
    • WalterBright 4y ago
      > where do you draw the line The same place I draw the line between light and dark, between rich and poor, between freedom and slavery, between art and porn.
      • uoaei 4y ago
        The definition of consciousness hinges on false dichotomies? Somewhat ironic, if incomprehensible.