X-Message-Number: 8261
From:  (Thomas Donaldson)
Subject: Re: CryoNet #8243 - #8247
Date: Fri, 30 May 1997 20:52:42 -0700 (PDT)

For John Clark, briefly:

One major question: please tell me what you consider to be a "computer". Unless
I know this I have no way to convincing you whether or not computers can
become self aware or not.

Second major question: we have no trouble, in our rough way, in saying that
one person is conscious while another is not. We do so on the basis of their
behavior. In terms of what we ourselves notice about ourselves, we find that
usually a judgement based on our behavior is correct: when others decide 
that we are unconscious, then after we awaken we will agree. When others 
decide we are conscious, we will also agree. Yes, sometimes people try to 
act as if they are asleep, and many other such things happen, but there
is a rough correspondence. 

So therefore: what is it that makes you say that no observational test for
consciousness exists?

			Long long life,

				Thomas Donaldson

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