How to measure conciousness

Collapse
This topic is closed.
X
X
 
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts
  • Cavernio
    sunshine and rainbows
    • Feb 2006
    • 1987

    #1

    How to measure conciousness

    If you can do that, then you win. I don't think that it's impossible, however it seems we're nowhere near being able to do so.
    Currently, the measure of consciousness that we use is based on actions. It seems to basically boil down to "Hey, I get what they're trying to do, they're doing that thing that I do. I'm concious, so they have to be too."
    Not even considering the fact that we're creating machines that seem human, people don't even agree on whether animals are conscious or not. And with animals, we at least have a comparison of anatomy, specifically, brains, to help us out. (Nihilists don't even think other humans are conscious!) With computers, we have nothing of the sort. Sci-fi has depicted machines having motives and thought, which usually happens when the technology has advanced enough. But we have no idea how advanced that is, or even if it's possible.
    Do computers have consciousness right now? Does a rock have conciousness? How can consciousness be created from things which themselves don't have any? Is it even physically possible to create a machine that is, basically, completely human except that it has no consciousness, or would the process of creating that machine require a consciousness to develop?

    Does anyone have any ideas about how to measure consciousness?
    Last edited by Cavernio; 01-6-2009, 05:55 PM. Reason: should learn how to spell consciousness before talking about it
  • funmonkey54
    The Chill Keeper
    • Oct 2007
    • 4127

    #2
    Re: How to measure conciousness

    Not really a good Critical Thinking question IMO.

    Consciousness is defined as being aware of one's own existence, sensations, thoughts, surroundings, etc. So, it is not really something to be measured, You either are, or you are not. There is no "measuring" to be done. Simple as that.

    Comment

    • Izzy
      Snek
      FFR Simfile Author
      • Jan 2003
      • 9195

      #3
      Re: How to measure conciousness

      There is no scale. It is a bool.

      Comment

      Working...