Evaluating the explanatory power of the Conscious Turing Machine.

The Conscious Turing Machine (CTM) model, proposed by Manuel and Lenore Blum, aims to define consciousness, address the hard problem of consciousness, and show the value of theoretical computer science for studying it. This evaluation examines CTM's explanatory power across philosophy of mind, cognitive neuroscience, and computation. The authors conclude that claims of CTM constituting progress are currently premature, though the model has potential. Several avenues for future research are suggested to develop the model further.

Study at a glance

Abstract

The recent "Conscious Turing Machine" (CTM) proposal offered by Manuel and Lenore Blum aims to define and explore consciousness, contribute to the solution of the hard problem, and demonstrate the value of theoretical computer science with respect to the study of consciousness. Surprisingly, given the ambitiousness and novelty of the proposal (and the prominence of its creators), CTM has received relatively little attention. We here seek to remedy this by offering an exhaustive evaluation of CTM. Our evaluation considers the explanatory power of CTM in three different domains of interdisciplinary consciousness studies: the philosophy of mind, cognitive neuroscience, and computation. Based on our evaluation in each of the target domains, at present, any claim that CTM constitutes progress is premature. Nevertheless, the model has potential, and we highlight several possible avenues of future research which proponents of the model may pursue in its development.