Are There Limits to What We Can Know about Conscious Experience? Some Scientific Doubts about the "Hard Problem" of Subjectivity

1998 ◽  
Vol 111 (1) ◽  
pp. 119
Author(s):  
Bernard J. Baars ◽  
David J. Chalmers
Keyword(s):  
Conscious Experience ◽  
Hard Problem ◽  
The Hard Problem

Contemporary Echoes of the World Soul

2021 ◽  
pp. 320-342
Author(s):  
Valia Allori
Keyword(s):  
Quantum Mechanics ◽  
Quantum Theory ◽  
Conscious Experience ◽  
Hard Problem ◽  
Quantum Theories ◽  
The World ◽  
The Hard Problem ◽  
The Mind ◽  
The Way

Quantum mechanics is a groundbreaking theory: it not only is extraordinarily empirically adequate but also is claimed to having shattered the classical paradigm of understanding the observer-observed distinction as well as the part-whole relation. This, together with other quantum features, has been taken to suggest that quantum theory can help one understand the mind-body relation in a unique way, in particular to solve the hard problem of consciousness along the lines of panpsychism. In this chapter, after having briefly presented panpsychism, Valia Allori discusses the main features of quantum theories and the way in which the main quantum theories of consciousness use them to account for conscious experience.

scholarly journals “The end of the Dreyfus affair”

2002 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 85-96 ◽  
Author(s):  
Syed Mustafa Ali
Keyword(s):  
Human Computer Interaction ◽  
Conscious Experience ◽  
Hard Problem ◽  
Dreyfus Affair ◽  
The Hard Problem ◽  
Hubert Dreyfus ◽  
Computer Interaction

In this paper, the possibility of developing a Heideggerian solution to the Schizophrenia Problem associated with cognitive technologies is investigated. This problem arises as a result of the computer bracketing emotion from cognition during human-computer interaction and results in human psychic self-amputation. It is argued that, in order to solve the Schizophrenia Problem, it is necessary to first solve the ‘hard problem’ of consciousness since emotion is at least partially experiential. Heidegger’s thought, particularly as interpreted by Hubert Dreyfus, appears relevant in this regard since it ostensibly provides the basis for solving the ‘hard problem’ via the construction of artificial systems capable of the emergent generation of conscious experience. However, it will be shown that Heidegger’s commitment to a non-experiential conception of nature renders this whole approach problematic, thereby necessitating consideration of alternative, post-Heideggerian approaches to solving the Schizophrenia Problem.

scholarly journals From causal determinism to a totally global fatalism: the “hard problem” of consciousness is solved

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaoyang Yu
Keyword(s):  
Elementary Particle ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Conscious Experience ◽  
Physical Object ◽  
Elementary Particles ◽  
Hard Problem ◽  
Causal Determinism ◽  
Neural Substrate ◽  
The Hard Problem ◽  
Physical Laws

In the universe, the physical interactions among any number of elementary particles, are strictly controlled by physical laws. So, the physical activity of any elementary particle, is strictly controlled by physical laws. So, the physical activity of any elementary particle, is inevitable. Any physical object, is a set of elementary particles. So, the physical activity of any physical object, is inevitable. So, every physical event is inevitable. A person has no control even over her choices. Her choices are controlled by the neural substrate. The neural substrate is controlled by the physical laws. So, her choices are controlled by the physical laws. So, she is powerless to do anything other than what she actually does. The “internal story” is called “conscious experience” in common language; the so-called “hard problem” of consciousness is solved.

Neurosurgery and consciousness: historical sketch and future possibilities

2012 ◽  
Vol 117 (3) ◽  
pp. 455-462 ◽  
Author(s):  
Harutomo Hasegawa ◽  
Graham A. Jamieson ◽  
Keyoumars Ashkan
Keyword(s):  
21St Century ◽  
Systematic Study ◽  
Subjective Experience ◽  
Conscious Experience ◽  
Hard Problem ◽  
Intracranial Recording ◽  
The Hard Problem ◽  
Historical Sketch

Neurosurgery has played an important role in the development of neuroscience and the science of consciousness. In this paper, the authors reflect on some of the historical contributions of neurosurgeons to the science of consciousness and discuss the ways in which clinical neurosurgery can contribute to the science of consciousness in the 21st century. An approach to the “hard problem” is proposed based on the principles of psychophysics, and the opportunities offered by intracranial recording and stimulation in patients capable of reporting changes in subjective experience are discussed. Such an approach will allow the systematic study and description of the bridging relationships between neurobiology and conscious experience.

scholarly journals .The superdeterministic destiny, and its mathematical models within the neural network

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaoyang Yu
Keyword(s):  
Neural Network ◽  
Subjective Experience ◽  
World Line ◽  
Conscious Experience ◽  
Elementary Particles ◽  
Hard Problem ◽  
Center Stage ◽  
The Hard Problem ◽  
The Mind ◽  
The Universe

The physical interactions among any number of elementary particles are governed by Schrodinger equation. The universe is a superdeterministic state machine which is formed by elementary particles. Mind’s “center stage”, which is a component of the mind, is imagined to exist as a real-time representation of all the elementary particles within the universe; the “center stage” only includes the physical objects perceived in the mind. A naïve cognitive researcher might incorrectly treat her mind’s “center stage” as the real world. It’s possible that the “center stage” doesn’t exist like “the ghost in the machine”. Otherwise, this “center stage” shouldn’t be able to impact the world line of any elementary particle. So, the human body is merely a fuzzy set of elementary particles, no matter the “center stage” really exist or not. The precondition of the “hard problem” of consciousness makes a mistake. Proving the precondition of the “hard problem”, is a “harder problem” of consciousness. The “harder problem” can’t be proved empirically. The conscious experience is actually the use of a mathematical model by a neural network within its low-level calculation. For example, when a neural network uses its 3D model of the reality, it feels like the subjective experience of being immersed within a topological structure.

Robots React, but Can They Feel?

2009 ◽  
pp. 133-153 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bruce J. MacLennan
Keyword(s):  
Physical State ◽  
Emotional Experience ◽  
Conscious Experience ◽  
Hard Problem ◽  
Human Consciousness ◽  
Physical Processes ◽  
The Hard Problem ◽  
Do So

This chapter addresses the “Hard Problem” of consciousness in the context of robot emotions. The Hard Problem, as defined by Chalmers, refers to the task of explaining the relation between conscious experience and the physical processes associated with it. For example, a robot can act afraid, but could it feel fear? Using protophenomenal analysis, which reduces conscious experience to its smallest units and investigates their physical correlates, we consider whether robots could feel their emotions, and the conditions under which they might do so. We find that the conclusion depends on unanswered but empirical questions in the neuropsychology of human consciousness. However, we do conclude that conscious emotional experience will require a robot to have a rich representation of its body and the physical state of its internal processes, which is important even in the absence of conscious experience.

Zombies and Dolls

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcello Massimini ◽  
Giulio Tononi
Keyword(s):  
Body Problem ◽  
Thought Experiments ◽  
Turing Test ◽  
Hard Problem ◽  
Mind Body Problem ◽  
The Hard Problem ◽  
The Mind ◽  
The Brain

This chapter uses thought experiments and practical examples to introduce, in a very accessible way, the hard problem of consciousness. Soon, machines may behave like us to pass the Turing test and scientists may succeed in copying and simulating the inner workings of the brain. Will all this take us any closer to solving the mysteries of consciousness? The reader is taken to meet different kind of zombies, the philosophical, the digital, and the inner ones, to understand why many, scientists and philosophers alike, doubt that the mind–body problem will ever be solved.

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