{"id":87,"date":"2022-08-18T06:51:08","date_gmt":"2022-08-18T06:51:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/michaelsantosauthor.com\/bcpjournal\/?p=87"},"modified":"2022-08-18T06:51:13","modified_gmt":"2022-08-18T06:51:13","slug":"the-hard-problem-of-consciousness-as-a-blocker-for-ai-ml","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/michaelsantosauthor.com\/bcpjournal\/the-hard-problem-of-consciousness-as-a-blocker-for-ai-ml\/","title":{"rendered":"The Hard Problem of Consciousness as a Blocker for AI\/ML"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

One of the most infamous challenges for the mainstream physicalist paradigm of today is the hard problem of consciousness<\/strong>, also called the mind-body problem or the explanatory gap. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite a plethora of advances in neuroscience and neurobiology over the past century, many feel that the hard problem is insoluble. At the very least, no neuroscientist worth their salt would argue that it has been solved, though some would argue that it was never a problem to begin with. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is the hard problem of consciousness?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Here is what the hard problem entails\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is not possible, even in principle, to reduce qualitative experience to the quantitative parameters of observed physical matter, regardless of the arrangement of that matter (Chalmers, 2003). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In other words, the mainstream paradigm of today claims that the physical brain, which is an incredibly complex arrangement of matter, generates consciousness. However, we do not understand how, even in principle, that happens. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, how can mathematical abstractions, such as mass, charge, and spin, give rise to the experience of what it is like to taste chocolate? The current paradigm has found hundreds of neuronal correlations between brain activity and conscious states (the NCCs), but no causal system by which we can reduce any conscious state to specific brain activity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The easy problems of consciousness<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Further, we know that the brain performs computational, behavioral, predictive modeling, and cognitive functions, such as the integration of information. These are called the \u201ceasy problems of consciousness,\u201d<\/strong> not because they are easy in the absolute sense, but because we have an idea of how to explain them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We can find neural and computational mechanisms that account for how the brain performs these functions. But why don\u2019t those demonstrably useful functions happen in the dark, without subjective experience, as they do in today\u2019s computers? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

From an evolutionary standpoint, phenomenal consciousness seems completely unnecessary at best and even harmful to our survival fitness at worst, since for the brain to generate it, we must extract even more energy from our environment to maintain phenomenal consciousness than we would without it. If it\u2019s so costly and not even necessary, why did the evolutionary process select for it? Here we find the hard problem of consciousness (Chalmers, 2022).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It’s not just about explaining the brain<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It is called a \u201chard\u201d problem because the dilemma goes deeper than lacking a scientific causal link between brain activity and consciousness. There is no way, in principle<\/em>, for qualitative subjective experiences to reduce down to quantitative arrangements of matter that, by definition, do not have any qualities at all. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

On top of that, everything that we know of the world, including the brain itself, we know through and in<\/em> consciousness. In philosophy of mind and in neuroscience, we are studying our own first-person perspective, not something outside ourselves that we can observe from a distance (Kastrup, 2019).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Implications for artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI\/ML)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Just as it has blocked our progress toward understanding how the human brain could produce consciousness, the hard problem stands in the way of artificial consciousness in silicon systems. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Indeed, the hard problem may well be insoluble (Chalmers, 2003; Levine, 1983). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, should AI\/ML research produce such a system, that accomplishment could help dissolve the hard problem of consciousness in humans, giving us one of the most profound answers we seek about ourselves, a mystery our greatest thinkers have contemplated for thousands of years. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

AI\/ML seems to have an advantage over the other relevant fields of study here\u2014by trying to replicate consciousness in a system that humans create, we can take this study out of the first-person and back into the purview of our observation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That may help us resolve the hard problem of conscious. Alternatively, it could help us negate the problem entirely. If we could explain why we feel consciousness is so difficult to explain, perhaps we could show that there is no actual problem at all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The meta-problem of consciousness<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This is the meta-problem of consciousness<\/strong>, or why it is that we feel consciousness is this special thing that defies our intuitions. If, for instance, we could identify an evolutionary reason for such a belief, we might be able to explain away the hard problem (Chalmers, 2022).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then again, perhaps we think consciousness is special because it is. Other metaphysical theories, such as dualism, panpsychism, and idealism certainly claim so. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For now, the hard problem remains one of physicalism’s most infamous paradoxes, though it is certainly not the only one. For AI\/ML, there is great opportunity to shed light on this debate. However, the hard problem remains a blocker for any future in which a computer might be able to achieve human-level consciousness. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In future posts, we’ll discuss the major metaphysical theories on the table, how they handle the relationship between consciousness and matter, and what they mean for AI\/ML. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bibliography<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
  1. Chalmers, D. (2003). Consciousness and its Place in Nature. Stich, S. & Warfield, T. (eds.). Blackwell Guide to the Philosophy of Mind<\/em>. Malden, MA: Blackwell.<\/li>
  2. Chalmers, D. (2022). The Meta-Problem of Consciousness. Shulman Lectures. Yale University.<\/li>
  3. Kastrup, B. (2019). The Idea of the World: A multi-disciplinary argument for the mental nature of reality<\/em>. iff Books.<\/li>
  4. Levine, J. (1983). Materialism and qualia: The explanatory gap. Pacific Philosophical Quarterly<\/em>, 64: 354-361.<\/li><\/ol>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    Just as it has blocked our progress toward understanding how the human brain could produce consciousness, the hard problem stands in the way of artificial consciousness in silicon systems. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":90,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[6,30],"tags":[32,21,25,23,33,22,31,26,20,24],"class_list":["post-87","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-philosophy","category-technology","tag-artificial-intelligence","tag-consciousness","tag-dualism","tag-idealism","tag-machine-learning","tag-metaphysics","tag-neuroscience","tag-panpsychism","tag-philosophy-of-mind","tag-physicalism"],"yoast_head":"\nThe Hard Problem of Consciousness as a Blocker for AI\/ML - BCP Journal<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"The hard problem of consciousness stands in the way of artificial consciousness in silicon systems. 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More specifically, I will make a case that a series of epistemological challenges is at the root of the hard problem of consciousness, and that these challenges are what render the hard problem insoluble.","rel":"","context":"In "Philosophy"","block_context":{"text":"Philosophy","link":"https:\/\/michaelsantosauthor.com\/bcpjournal\/category\/philosophy\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"people walking down the stairs","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/michaelsantosauthor.com\/bcpjournal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/pexels-photo-3685201.jpeg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/michaelsantosauthor.com\/bcpjournal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/pexels-photo-3685201.jpeg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/michaelsantosauthor.com\/bcpjournal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/pexels-photo-3685201.jpeg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/michaelsantosauthor.com\/bcpjournal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/pexels-photo-3685201.jpeg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/michaelsantosauthor.com\/bcpjournal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/pexels-photo-3685201.jpeg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":220,"url":"https:\/\/michaelsantosauthor.com\/bcpjournal\/what-the-hard-problem-of-consciousness-misses-reality-theory\/","url_meta":{"origin":87,"position":1},"title":"The Consciousness-Reality Integration Theory (CRIT)","author":"michael.santos","date":"August 14, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"Current studies of consciousness present a profound challenge known as the \u201chard problem of consciousness.\u201d This elusive issue pertains to the nature of subjective experience and the relationship between consciousness and the physical world. Western philosophy and science have traditionally approached this problem by assuming a physicalist worldview, treating consciousness\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Philosophy"","block_context":{"text":"Philosophy","link":"https:\/\/michaelsantosauthor.com\/bcpjournal\/category\/philosophy\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"worms eye view of spiral stained glass decors through the roof","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/michaelsantosauthor.com\/bcpjournal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/stained-glass-spiral-circle-pattern-161154.jpeg?fit=1200%2C798&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/michaelsantosauthor.com\/bcpjournal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/stained-glass-spiral-circle-pattern-161154.jpeg?fit=1200%2C798&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/michaelsantosauthor.com\/bcpjournal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/stained-glass-spiral-circle-pattern-161154.jpeg?fit=1200%2C798&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/michaelsantosauthor.com\/bcpjournal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/stained-glass-spiral-circle-pattern-161154.jpeg?fit=1200%2C798&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/michaelsantosauthor.com\/bcpjournal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/stained-glass-spiral-circle-pattern-161154.jpeg?fit=1200%2C798&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":308,"url":"https:\/\/michaelsantosauthor.com\/bcpjournal\/a-trinitarian-framework-for-core-subjectivity-awareness-phenomenality-and-intentionality-in-consciousness\/","url_meta":{"origin":87,"position":2},"title":"A Trinitarian Framework for Core Subjectivity: Awareness, Phenomenality, and Intentionality in Consciousness","author":"michael.santos","date":"January 10, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"This paper delves into the notion of core subjectivity, the fundamental base of mind that one experiences in the pure consciousness state, and examines its interconnected modes\u2014awareness, phenomenality, and intentionality. Leveraging strong phenomenal intentionality theory\u2019s claim that all intentional states are (or arise from) phenomenal states, we propose that the\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Philosophy"","block_context":{"text":"Philosophy","link":"https:\/\/michaelsantosauthor.com\/bcpjournal\/category\/philosophy\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"pexels-photo-1500610.jpeg","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/michaelsantosauthor.com\/bcpjournal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/pexels-photo-1500610.jpeg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/michaelsantosauthor.com\/bcpjournal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/pexels-photo-1500610.jpeg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/michaelsantosauthor.com\/bcpjournal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/pexels-photo-1500610.jpeg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/michaelsantosauthor.com\/bcpjournal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/pexels-photo-1500610.jpeg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/michaelsantosauthor.com\/bcpjournal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/pexels-photo-1500610.jpeg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":130,"url":"https:\/\/michaelsantosauthor.com\/bcpjournal\/evolutionary-problem-phenomenal-consciousness\/","url_meta":{"origin":87,"position":3},"title":"Computer Science and the Evolutionary Problem of Phenomenal Consciousness","author":"michael.santos","date":"January 24, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"Evolution, the brain, and consciousness According to the theory of evolution by natural selection, one of the most validated and empirically supported theories in science, our bodies, including all of their component cells and organs, arose according to corresponding increases in survival fitness payoffs.\u00a0 A central claim of today\u2019s mainstream\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Philosophy"","block_context":{"text":"Philosophy","link":"https:\/\/michaelsantosauthor.com\/bcpjournal\/category\/philosophy\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"computer c code","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/michaelsantosauthor.com\/bcpjournal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/pexels-photo-276452.jpeg?fit=1200%2C640&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/michaelsantosauthor.com\/bcpjournal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/pexels-photo-276452.jpeg?fit=1200%2C640&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/michaelsantosauthor.com\/bcpjournal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/pexels-photo-276452.jpeg?fit=1200%2C640&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/michaelsantosauthor.com\/bcpjournal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/pexels-photo-276452.jpeg?fit=1200%2C640&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/michaelsantosauthor.com\/bcpjournal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/pexels-photo-276452.jpeg?fit=1200%2C640&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":190,"url":"https:\/\/michaelsantosauthor.com\/bcpjournal\/relevance-realization-artificial-general-intelligence\/","url_meta":{"origin":87,"position":4},"title":"The problem of relevance realization for artificial general intelligence","author":"michael.santos","date":"April 20, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"This essay argues that relevance realization is a critical problem that needs to be solved in order to achieve AGI. Relevance realization is an essential component of human cognition, and developing machines that can perform this function is essential for the development of true artificial intelligence. Given the evolutionary and\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Philosophy"","block_context":{"text":"Philosophy","link":"https:\/\/michaelsantosauthor.com\/bcpjournal\/category\/philosophy\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"a person playing chess","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/michaelsantosauthor.com\/bcpjournal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/pexels-photo-8438944.jpeg?fit=1200%2C801&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/michaelsantosauthor.com\/bcpjournal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/pexels-photo-8438944.jpeg?fit=1200%2C801&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/michaelsantosauthor.com\/bcpjournal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/pexels-photo-8438944.jpeg?fit=1200%2C801&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/michaelsantosauthor.com\/bcpjournal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/pexels-photo-8438944.jpeg?fit=1200%2C801&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/michaelsantosauthor.com\/bcpjournal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/pexels-photo-8438944.jpeg?fit=1200%2C801&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":69,"url":"https:\/\/michaelsantosauthor.com\/bcpjournal\/defining-consciousness-philosophy\/","url_meta":{"origin":87,"position":5},"title":"Defining Consciousness in Philosophy","author":"michael.santos","date":"August 15, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"There are a multitude of definitions for \u201cconsciousness,\u201d most of them lacking. In this article, we discuss the philosophical definitions, as these are the most precise and will allow for the most complex understanding of the topic.","rel":"","context":"In "Philosophy"","block_context":{"text":"Philosophy","link":"https:\/\/michaelsantosauthor.com\/bcpjournal\/category\/philosophy\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"photo of head bust print artwork","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/michaelsantosauthor.com\/bcpjournal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/pexels-photo-724994.jpeg?fit=1200%2C862&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/michaelsantosauthor.com\/bcpjournal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/pexels-photo-724994.jpeg?fit=1200%2C862&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/michaelsantosauthor.com\/bcpjournal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/pexels-photo-724994.jpeg?fit=1200%2C862&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/michaelsantosauthor.com\/bcpjournal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/pexels-photo-724994.jpeg?fit=1200%2C862&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/michaelsantosauthor.com\/bcpjournal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/pexels-photo-724994.jpeg?fit=1200%2C862&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/michaelsantosauthor.com\/bcpjournal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/87","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/michaelsantosauthor.com\/bcpjournal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/michaelsantosauthor.com\/bcpjournal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/michaelsantosauthor.com\/bcpjournal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/michaelsantosauthor.com\/bcpjournal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=87"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/michaelsantosauthor.com\/bcpjournal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/87\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":91,"href":"https:\/\/michaelsantosauthor.com\/bcpjournal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/87\/revisions\/91"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/michaelsantosauthor.com\/bcpjournal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/90"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/michaelsantosauthor.com\/bcpjournal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=87"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/michaelsantosauthor.com\/bcpjournal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=87"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/michaelsantosauthor.com\/bcpjournal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=87"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}