Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 6/24/83; site cbscd5.UUCP
Path: utzoo!linus!decvax!harpo!eagle!mhuxl!ulysses!cbosgd!cbscd5!pmd
From: pmd@cbscd5.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.ai,btl.ai,net.philosophy
Subject: Artificial Consciousness?
Message-ID: <860@cbscd5.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 25-Oct-83 16:34:02 EDT
Article-I.D.: cbscd5.860
Posted: Tue Oct 25 16:34:02 1983
Date-Received: Wed, 26-Oct-83 07:49:46 EDT
Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories <SCCS>, Columbus
Lines: 20


I'm interested in getting some feedback on some philosophical
questions that have been haunting me:

1) Is there any reason why developments in artificial intelligence
and computer technology could not someday produce a machine with
human consciousness (i.e. an I-story)?

2) If the answer to the above question is no, and such a machine were
produced, what would distinguish it from humans as far as "human"
rights were concerned?  Would it be murder for us to destroy such a
machine?  What about letting it die of natural (?) causes if we
have the ability to repair it indefinitely?
(Note:  Just having a unique, human genetic code does not legally make
one human as per the 1973 *Row vs Wade* Supreme Court decision on
abortion.)

Thanks in advance.

Paul Dubuc