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Analysis of what-if scenarios and simulating likely expected outcomes of proposed actions is a very useful ability, but IMHO that is not part of what we'd call
by PeterisP 3y ago
Analysis of what-if scenarios and simulating likely expected outcomes of proposed actions is a very useful ability, but IMHO that is not part of what we'd call 'consciousness'.
- Retric 3y agoIt’s a large fraction of what consciousness is actually doing, not the definition of consciousness. Someone considering what to say is simulating tradeoffs. In practice simulation isn’t limited to future possibilities. Trying to remember something you might recall vague sensory information like the tilt of your hips and try and create a scenario where that fits.
- PeterisP 3y agoI would not automatically treat all the things that people do consciously as intrinsically linked with consciousness, unless there's some clear reasoning why consciousness is required to do that particular thing - and not in the sense that it's required because unconscious people can't do stuff because they're incapacitated. Like, saying that simulating tradeoffs is what consciousness is actually doing seems to me equivalent to saying that smashing my fist on the table is something 'my consciousness' is doing, which is kind of technically true but not really relevant, as IMHO a non-human entity that's clearly without any consciousness could both smash something against the table and also simulate tradeoffs for various options, having a subjective experience isn't required for that.
- Retric 3y agoSleepwalking shows most things people do can happen without consciousness. People can make breakfast without being conscious etc. Choosing between tradeoffs is however intrinsically linked to consciousness.