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In the mathematical universe consciousness is equivalent to a proper class (the sets that feel like something from the inside) and the intersection of that clas
by benlivengood 3y ago
In the mathematical universe consciousness is equivalent to a proper class (the sets that feel like something from the inside) and the intersection of that class with the possible states of our physical universe yields the possible consciousnesses in our universe.
How are some sets conscious? Probably some encoded self-reference or other self-similarity. E.g. there are infinitely many integers that under Gödel numbering refer to logical statements about the same integer. If anything, that should feel like some sense of self with reference to the choice of numbering and logic. Human consciousness is possibly many layers of parallel self-references that yield additional and comparative qualia. There are almost certainly other mechanisms of achieving consciousness as well.
- thriftwy 3y agoBut who does that achieving of consciousness? A random seed written on a piece of paper?
- benlivengood 3y agoThe "who" is the set that is conscious. Just like a prime number is prime without having any external force make it so or requiring anything to embody the primeness. Primality is in the nature of the natural numbers. The claim is that consciousness is in the nature of sets. The latter does not yet have experimental evidence. It seems as reasonable to me as other possibilities like electrons are conscious or quantum fields are conscious mostly because both of those are well-described by mathematics.
- thriftwy 3y agoWhy do I feel like I am living in time if I am actually not in a simulation, not a Boltzmann brain, but just a random seed that is not written on a piece of paper anywhere? What is the meaning of all this, then? You are reiterating cheezy stuff about "nature" and quantum fields, ignoring the random seed part.