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Kuhn’s Taxonomy of Consciousness connects various theories to profound questions about human existence and artificial intelligence, based on his extensive dialogue with more than 200 experts. “What do
Kuhn’s Taxonomy of Consciousness connects various theories to profound questions about human existence and artificial intelligence, based on his extensive dialogue with more than 200 experts.
“What do you think about meat?” “That’s the big question,” philosopher Patricia Churchland told Robert Lawrence Kuhn, producer and host of the popular PBS program. closer to reality and is a member of the FQxI Scientific Advisory Board.
Kuhn has now published a comprehensive classification of proposed solutions and theories to the complex problem of consciousness. Its organizational framework aims to evaluate their impact on meaning, purpose, and value, as well as AI consciousness, virtual immortality, survival after death, and free will. His work titled “Landscape of Consciousness” was featured in an issue of the magazine. Progress in Biophysics and Molecular Biology For August 2024.
Since its debut in 2000 “Closer to reality” 333 chapters have been published, 30 of which were in collaboration with the Fundamental Questions Institute (FQxI), a science think tank and funding agency. Kuhn’s article is the result of numerous in-depth interviews with experts over decades. “I have discussed consciousness with more than 200 scientists and philosophers,” says Kuhn, who himself is trained in neurophysiology. “Landscape is the product of a lifetime.”
The article begins with a classic mind-body problem: How are the sensations experienced by our mind connected to the neural processes in our brain? How do mental states relate to brain states, whether sensory, cognitive, emotional, or noumenal (selfless) awareness? “While there are families of mind-body problems, I focus on phenomenal consciousness: our inner awareness of ‘what it feels like to be someone,’” says Kuhn.
Kuhn offers various theories of consciousness, from materialist/physical to non-materialist/non-physical. They are classified as theories of materialism (philosophical, neurobiological, electromagnetic field, computational and informational, homeostatic and affective, embodied and active, relational, representational, language, phylogenetic evolution); Non-reductive physicalism; Quantum theories; Integrated information theory; Panpsychisms; monisms; Dualisms; Idealisms; Abnormal and altered state theories; and we challenge theories. “Each explanation is personally defined by its advocates,” Kuhn notes.
The taxonomy is presented in the attached figure.
“My goal should be modest: to collect and classify, not to evaluate and judge,” says Kuhn. “Look for ideas, not answers.” Kuhn says he developed an organizational framework to explore the implications of these various theories of consciousness on “fundamental questions” such as meaning, purpose, and value (if any), artificial intelligence consciousness, virtual immortality, survival after death, and free will. “The understanding of consciousness at this stage cannot be limited to selected ways of thinking or knowing; a broad but rational diversity must be sought.”
After publishing the approximately 175,000-word article, Kuhn found that his views on some propositions had changed. “My hunch is that right here, right now, it might be something like a mix of dualism and idealism. Second, there might be some kind of quantum consciousness triggered by the writing of this paper, which surprised me. Third, counter-intuitively, it might be some kind of combined with neurobiological and representational theories.” eliminative materialism/illusionism.”
But Kuhn adds: “Smart, serious people believe in completely different theories; “It doesn’t really matter what I believe.”
Source: Port Altele
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