Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Path: utzoo!decvax!ucbvax!AI.AI.MIT.EDU!KFL
From: KFL@AI.AI.MIT.EDU.UUCP
Newsgroups: mod.ai
Subject: Consciousness
Message-ID: <133141.861221.KFL@AI.AI.MIT.EDU>
Date: Sun, 21-Dec-86 02:06:56 EST
Article-I.D.: AI.133141.861221.KFL
Posted: Sun Dec 21 02:06:56 1986
Date-Received: Fri, 2-Jan-87 18:42:20 EST
Sender: daemon@ucbvax.BERKELEY.EDU
Organization: The ARPA Internet
Lines: 31
Approved: ailist@sri-stripe.arpa


    From: mcvax!ukc!rjf@seismo.CSS.GOV

    If someone had lived for several years with a supposed-person who turned
    out to be a robot, they would be severely shocked, when they discovered
    that fact, and would *not* say 'Well, you certainly had me fooled. I guess
    you robots must be conscious after all.'

  That is what *I* would say.  What WOULD be sufficient evidence for
consciousness?  If only self experience is sufficient, does that mean
you don't think the rest of us are conscious?
  What if YOU turned out to be a robot, much to your own surprise?
Would you then doubt your own consciousness?  Or would you then say
"well, maybe robots ARE conscious, and humans AREN'T"?

    The problem is not just about what would deserve the attribution of
    consciousness, but about what we feel about making that attribution.

  Huh?  Does reality depend on feelings?

    And such feelings go much deeper than mere prejudice. I think they go as
    deep as love and sex, and are equally valid and valuable. I often turn
    machines on, but they don't do the same for me - they're not good enough,
    because they're not folks. And never will be.

  What about aliens from another planet?  They might give ample
evidence that they are intelligent (books, starships, computers,
robots, network discussion groups, etc) but might appear quite
physically repulsive to a human being.  Would you believe them
to be conscious?  Why or why not?
								...Keith