[extropy-chat] Qualia Bet.

[gts]

On Thu, 24 Nov 2005 03:13:30 -0500, Eugen Leitl <eugen at leitl.org> wrote:

> Recognizing a specific wavelength range is a really simple measurement.
> A single molecule could do it.

Yes, this is what I mean by pan-psychism. Right or wrong, it simplifies  
the problem.

Consider a definition of awareness that entails only a response to the  
environment. If a molecule (or atom or particle) changes in any way in  
response to any stimulus then it is defined as "aware" of that stimulus.

If this is the definition of awareness then there is nothing especially  
mysterious about human awareness.  No need for magic or dualism. Humans  
(and probably other higher animals) are special only because we have extra  
neurological equipment that allows us to be aware our awareness. Neurons  
looking at neurons.

-gts