34543 Y142 Whenever An Animal Displays Complex ~~~
Q&@
EMOTIONAL BEHAVIOUR
WE CANNOT PROVE THAT THIS IS NOT THE RESULT
OF SOME VERY SOPHISTICATED BUT NON-CONSCIOUS ALGORITHM?
This argument, of course, can be applied to humans too! Everything a human does -
including reporting on allegedly conscious states - might in theory be the work of non-conscious algorithms.
In the case of humans, we nevertheless assume that whenever someone reports that he or she is conscious,
we can take their word for it. Based on this minimal assumption, we can today identify the brain signatures of
consciuousness, which can then be used systematically to differentiate conscious from non-conscious states
in humans. Yet since animal brains share many features with human brains, as our understanding of the sig-
natures of consciousness deepens, we might be able to use them to determine if and when other animals are
conscious! If a canine brain shows similar patterns to those of a conscious human brain, this will provide strong
evidence thàt dògs áre conscious? Initial tests on monkeys & mice indicate that at least monkey and mice brains
display the signatures op consciousness!? However, given the differences between animal & human brains, and
given that we are still far from deciphering all the secrets of consciousness, developing decisive tests
that will satisfy the sceptics might take decades!? Who should carry
the burden of proof in the meantime? Do we consider dogs
to be mindless machines until proven otherwise,
or do we treat dogs as conscious
being al long as nobody
comes up with some
convincing counter-
evidence?
Asih, man, 79 jaar
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