Well, if consciousness is real, it should be a distinct part of our brains. It shouuld be possible to wire that part up to the upload’s brain directly, disable it, switch it back and forth. (Create true zombies, in other words) Maybe interacting with a consciousness-less upload will convince people that it’s really conscious when that part is re-enabled.
Actually, are there any cases of brain damage where consciousness has become permanently or intermittently disabled? (Sleep walking aside) Also, has anybody tried to compare MRIs of sleepwalkers and awake people performing the same tasks?
Actually, are there any cases of brain damage where consciousness has become permanently or intermittently disabled? (Sleep walking aside) Also, has anybody tried to compare MRIs of sleepwalkers and awake people performing the same tasks?
I’m not convinced that people suffering from a monothematic delusion or depersonalization disorder are unconscious, or have a damaged consciousness specifically.
I’m not saying it’s exactly like that, just that this is what a “missing consciousness” might resemble. Maybe some subtler set of symptoms that are harder to articulate to others and less disruptive to outwardly normal behavior.
So, non-philosophical zombies: they could be detectable by physical means but we have not yet developed such means. Yes, this sounds overly cautious, but if being alive is our most valuable asset, perhaps infinitely valuable, it might be the one thing that we should be overly cautious about.
I have since experienced a dissociative episode (similar to what is described on the depersonalization disorder page), and I can confirm that I was conscious throughout.
Well, if consciousness is real, it should be a distinct part of our brains. It shouuld be possible to wire that part up to the upload’s brain directly, disable it, switch it back and forth. (Create true zombies, in other words) Maybe interacting with a consciousness-less upload will convince people that it’s really conscious when that part is re-enabled.
Actually, are there any cases of brain damage where consciousness has become permanently or intermittently disabled? (Sleep walking aside) Also, has anybody tried to compare MRIs of sleepwalkers and awake people performing the same tasks?
Yes, quite a few.
I’m not convinced that people suffering from a monothematic delusion or depersonalization disorder are unconscious, or have a damaged consciousness specifically.
I’m not saying it’s exactly like that, just that this is what a “missing consciousness” might resemble. Maybe some subtler set of symptoms that are harder to articulate to others and less disruptive to outwardly normal behavior.
So, non-philosophical zombies: they could be detectable by physical means but we have not yet developed such means. Yes, this sounds overly cautious, but if being alive is our most valuable asset, perhaps infinitely valuable, it might be the one thing that we should be overly cautious about.
Well okay, but your comment was very misleading as written.
I have since experienced a dissociative episode (similar to what is described on the depersonalization disorder page), and I can confirm that I was conscious throughout.