The meta-problem and the transfer of knowledge between theories of consciousness: a software engineer's take
arXiv Preprint Archive February 18, 2019 via arXiv
Summary
Two distinct explanations of phenomenal intuitions—one reductive and one strongly non-reductive—are examined, and two ideas are identified that could benefit many theories of consciousness. First, sophisticated agent architectures with purely physical implementation may support functional forms of qualia or proto-qualia, implying the possibility of machine consciousness with qualia for both reductive and non-reductive theories that view consciousness as ubiquitous. Second, introspective psychological material suggests that below ordinary waking awareness there exist submerged or subliminal layers of consciousness that form a hidden foundation and source of phenomenal intuitions. These layers may help explain puzzling phenomena in subliminal perception, such as apparently unconscious multisensory integration and learning of subliminal stimuli.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Keywords | Q-bio.nc Cs.ai Consciousness Artificial intelligence Machine cognition |
| Key finding | Sophisticated agent architectures with purely physical implementation may support functional qualia, implying possible machine consciousness, and submerged layers of consciousness below waking awareness may explain subliminal perception phenomena. |
Abstract
This contribution examines two radically different explanations of our phenomenal intuitions, one reductive and one strongly non-reductive, and identifies two germane ideas that could benefit many other theories of consciousness. Firstly, the ability of sophisticated agent architectures with a purely physical implementation to support certain functional forms of qualia or proto-qualia appears to entail the possibility of machine consciousness with qualia, not only for reductive theories but also for the nonreductive ones that regard consciousness as ubiquitous in Nature. Secondly, analysis of introspective psychological material seems to hint that, under the threshold of our ordinary waking awareness, there exist further 'submerged' or 'subliminal' layers of consciousness which constitute a hidden foundation and support and another source of our phenomenal intuitions. These 'submerged' layers might help explain certain puzzling phenomena concerning subliminal perception, such as the apparently 'unconscious' multisensory integration and learning of subliminal stimuli.