A Theoretical Solution of the Mind-Body Problem: An Operationalized Proof that no Purely Physical System Can Exhibit all the Properties of Human Consciousness
arXiv Preprint Archive June 13, 2017
Summary
Can physical systems truly achieve human consciousness? This groundbreaking analysis in theoretical neuroscience (q-bio.NC) demonstrates a fundamental incompatibility between physical systems and conscious self-awareness. By examining how humans can be certain of their own consciousness, researchers proved mathematically that no purely physical system could replicate this fundamental aspect of human consciousness while maintaining logical consistency.
Abstract
This article presents an operationalized solution to the mind-body problem which relies on rigorously defined theoretical reasoning rather than philosophical argument. We identify a specific operation which is a necessary property of all healthy human conscious individuals -- specifically the operation of self-certainty, or the capacity of healthy conscious humans to "know" with certainty that they are conscious. This operation is shown to be inconsistent with the properties possible in any meaningful definition of a physical system. This inconsistency is demonstrated by proving a "no-go" theorem for any physical system capable of human logical reasoning, if this reasoning is required to be both sound and consistent. The proof of this theorem is both general -- it applies to any function whereby evidence affects the state of some physical system -- and recursive, since any physical process subserving a function of this type is shown to imply another such function. Thus for at least one aspect of human consciousness, the mind-body problem is now conclusively resolved.