Consciousness is not a physically provable property
Cathy M Reason
arXiv Preprint Archive April 28, 2017 preprint
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper |
|---|---|
| Keywords | Q-bio.nc Consciousness Quantum-mechanics Philosophy-of-mind |
| Key points | Argues that human consciousness is associated with a violation of energy conservation, based on a logical proof that computing machines cannot be certain of their own conscious awareness. |
Abstract
We present a logical proof that computing machines, and by extension physical systems, can never be certain if they possess conscious awareness. This implies that human consciousness is associated with a violation of energy conservation. We examine the significance that a particular interpretation of quantum mechanics, known as single mind Q (Barrett 1999), might have for the detection of such a violation. Finally we apply single mind Q to the problem of free will as it arises in some celebrated experiments by the neurophysiologist Benjamin Libet.