Is Consciousness as Fundamental as Space, Time and Energy?

What is consciousness and how important is it to intelligence? Can a computer be truly intelligent without also being conscious? If not, then can consciousness be synthesized on a computer or is consciousness something fundamental to the basic structure of the universe, like space, time and energy?

For the sake of discussion, let's define consciousness to mean "the capacity to experience one's own experience." In other words, consciousness is an infinite regress of sorts -- consciousness is by nature self-knowing. Can a computer execute an infinite regress without getting stuck? Humans seem to be able to do this quite easily!

I got interested in consciousness as a college student studying the philosophy of artificial intelligence at Oberlin. Among other things, I spent several years trying to figure out how to design a conscious computer. In the process I read just about everything I could find about consciousness -- both from Western scientists and philosophers, as well as Eastern thinkers. In the end, I came to the conclusion that consciousness is not a formal information process, rather it is something fundamental to the universe, just like space, time, and energy.

A good analogy for this is electricity. Nobody can deny that there is a phenomenon of electricity, but not even our brightest scientists can tell you what electricity really is. This is because electricity is ultimately based on fundamental particles -- and we don't really know what those are. Furthermore, nobody ever really makes electricity -- all they do is channel the electrical potential that is already existing. This is a good example of how I think consciousness operates. I have a hunch that nobody ever creates consciousness, rather it can simply be channeled using the appropriate type of "circuit." So I doubt that we will ever synthesize consciousness in a computer; however, it might be possible to design some sort of machine (or organism) that is capable of channeling consciousness that is already natively present in the universe itself. But we are a long way from that technology -- what would be the consciousness-equivalent of a wire, or a circuit? Perhaps we should look to the East, where there are many thousands of years of study of what consciousness is and how consciousness operates in the human body.

Comments

[omadeon]

Mr. Spivack, I agree wholeheartedly; also agree with the "bet" you made about the future 50 years ahead, that no computer at that time will be conscious.

I make this comment rather... late, of course (more than 2 years later) but this issue is extremely important and completely beyond time. I happen to be an agnostic with strong Buddhist and pantheistic leanings, and also a professional in A.I. - so my agreement with your views is NOT a result of dogma or religious affiliations.

Reading what you think is delightful, since your views are exactly similar to my own... heretical views, expressed many years ago when I was a student of Computer Science and A.I.

There is other reasons I write this, however.

1) Firstly, to remind you of the "Laws of Form" philosophy (which you most probably already know), which is compatible with your views as well as useful in Math and Science.
2) Secondly, to propose that there is a very deep difference between intelligence and consciousness: Intelligence can be totally artificial and also very high, without any actual consciousness.

As regards the second issue, once upon a time I wrote a small essay, explaining it:
http://omadeon.com/writings/intelligence_and_consciousness.html

I will discuss and promote your views further in my blog, as well:
http://omadeon.wordpress.com

Wishing all the best for your innovative ventures, and a happy new year 2008,
George A. Stathis ("omadeon")

[Tony's Brother, Jim]

Indeed.

"Awareness itself
is primordial
pre-existing cognizance;
Self-existing wakefulness."

Thank you Lao Tzu for that concise summary.

[Tony Eldon]

The analogy of consciousness being like electricity is interesting. That would make it in some sense a byproduct of, or phenomena associated with, matter, in which case the entire universe could be conscious because some part of the universe is made of matter. 3% of it, at least, according to current understanding. The movements of the stars and galaxies would presumably then be correlated with, or would be the physical functions related to, the large scale conscious thought processes of the universe. So far so good. I'm not sure how we'd ever communicate with such a thing, but metaphysicians assure us that it's not difficult and I agree. The related issue concerns input/output functions that relate to consciousness. Our human consciousness by your definition seems to be linked directly to our sensory organs which collect radiation from outside and inside and shunt it into the brain. Optical, temperature, and sound pressure data from both the external surroundings and from the human container itself (eg, skin) all contribute to our conscious awareness of ourselves. That being the case, what would be the sensory organs of the universe? What would the IO function be? Could a consciousness exist without an IO function the way we understand ourselves?

More perplexing still, if matter such as our bodies really does comprise only 3% of the whole universe, then is it not possible that matter, human existence, and human consciousness are all merely frothy artifacts floating on the sea of ultimate reality, and are hence merely amusing mistakes? These questions bother me periodically. Today was one of those days, hence my comments.

Very best regards,

Tony