1997 Pinker Could a Computer Ever be Conscious

<p>Jan 02, 2014 09:28 PM &nbsp;<b>Sapience</b> is the word that = &nbsp;intelligence + consciousness;

(sentience appears to be a synonym for consciousness; perhaps minimal consciousness,

eg an MCS patient (minimally conscious state) pt is still sentient &nbsp;(but NOT sapient =

wise, &nbsp;full judgement)</p>

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wonderful, brief article from US News and World Report in Sug 1997!

by Steve... &nbsp;&nbsp;really good. adapted from his book How the Mind Works.</p>

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4th to last: &nbsp;is Alicia,the robot, &nbsp;conscious? &nbsp;how would I find out?

How would I know that YOU are consc?</p>

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3rd to last para: &nbsp;surgeons replace each of your hundred billion neurons with a microchip...

what do you experience?</p>

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2nd last para: &nbsp;Allenby guilty of destruction of property or murder?

does a newborn boy feel pain when circumcised? &nbsp;(YES!)

how about a lobster boiled alive or a worm impaled on a fishhook?</p>

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last para: &nbsp;human sentience: perhaps the problem will never be solved.

perhaps we are not capable of understanding the solution &nbsp;(I doubt it!)

invention of the computer as the ultimate tease.

our own consc may be beyond our grasp... (NO, I doubt it)</p>