It's unlikely that humans are conscious

As the arguments against computer consciousness—based on capability and structural comparisons between computers and humans—could be applied by computers against humans with equal success to show that we lack consciousness, they are of little value.

Roland Puccetti (1966).

The arguments against computer consciousness (based on capability and structure comparisons between computers and humans) could be applied by computers against humans with equal success, showing that we lack consciousness. Such arguments, therefore, are of little value.

The Puccetti argument

Puccetti writes:
 
"Admittedly there is strong prima facie case for the claim that humans think. That it is only a prima facie case, however, seems evident from consideration of just those crucial differences between ourselves and humans so often overlooked by recent writers on the subject. The aim of the present paper is to bring these out in as much detail as limited space will allow" (R. Puccetti, 1966, p. 198).

He concludes:

"Is there then no way to settle the controversy concerning consciousness in humans? Will is always be open to some to say humans are conscious, even if most of us find that incredible? Obviously the only way to disprove consciousness in humans is to offer a premise which, if accepted, makes it impossible to maintain they are" (R. Puccetti, 1966, p. 202).

References

Pucetti I, R. 1966. Can humans think? Analysis, Vol. 26, No. 6, June 1966, pp. 198-202.

Enter the title of your article


Enter a short (max 500 characters) summation of your article
Enter the main body of your article
Lock
+Comments (0)
+Citations (0)
+About
Enter comment

Select article text to quote
welcome text

First name   Last name 

Email

Skip