3 ms·
There's an interesting thought experiment that goes the other way. What if we replace a single neuron in a conscious person's brain by a properly connected real
by hgomersall 4y ago
There's an interesting thought experiment that goes the other way. What if we replace a single neuron in a conscious person's brain by a properly connected real-time neuron simulator? Would that affect the person's consciousness? What about two neurons? Etc etc. At what point, if ever, would a progressively more simulated brain no longer be the original consciousness?
- hoseja 4y agoThis may be a little deceptive depending on how you define "a properly connected real-time neuron simulator". Can it form new connections? Can it grow? Does it metabolize? Can it die? Etc...
- hgomersall 4y agoThese are all good questions and probably allow our realised thought experiment to gain more insight into what aspects are necessary for consciousness and what are just biological baggage.
- hoseja 4y agoI suspect the line is very blurry indeed.
- kertoip_1 4y agoBut does it really matter? If we can just replace, one-by-one all neurons in brain with artificial ones and that would not affect consciousness of the user, then we've just proved it's possible to have a thinking machine
- hoseja 4y agoWhat if you replace all the neurons and the person is suddenly stuck with no short-term memory and aphasia? Clearly your replacement neurons are defective. At which point are they not? Is that point distinguishable from normal neurons?
- sudosysgen 4y agoWhat is this counterfactual? We're talking about replacing the neurons one by one, slowly. When would the loss of memory happen?
- criddell 4y agoIs a person with no short-term memory and aphasia still conscious?