CONSCIOUSNESS

1. Philosophy 55
the universe, are adequately mapped to a definable set. That does not require a grand unified
theory. There may be several overlapping theories, each with a certain range of application,
which approximately describe the physical universe, as long as they are fine-grained enough
to identify single physical states. Alternatively, a definable set of physical states is obtained
by a point-by-point description of the model of physical theory, the total quantum state of
the brain (or the universe). The conjunction of the above entails that human beliefs do not
supervene on brain states. C5
31 The Singularity: A Philosophical Analysis David Chalmers
(Australian National University, Centre for Consciousness, Canberra, Australia)
The technological “singularity”, or I.J. Good’s “intelligence explosion”, is the rapid transition
from greater-than-human artificial intelligence to superintelligence. I will set out and
analyze the argument for an “intelligence explosion”, and will consider the forms that such
explosion might take. Focusing on the likelihood that it will take place within a simulated
world, I will consider resulting practical and philosophical issues. How, if it all, can we control
the impact of superintelligence in a simulated world on our world? Will systems in a
post-singularity world be conscious? Can we be among them? PL6
32 Consciousness in Mixed Systems: Merging Artificial and Biological Minds Via
Brain-Machine Interface Alexandra Elbakyan (independent
researcher, Almaty, Kazakhstan)
The rapidly developing field of Brain-Machine Interface (BMI) technology seeks to establish
a direct communication-and-control channel between human brain and machines. Practical
applications for BMI include restoration of lost vision and motor functions, and even extending
normal human capabilities. But unfortunately current BMI systems are far too poor to
achieve even a level of performance that is comparable to what humans are normally capable
of, let alone improving it. And this situation holds on for quite a while. The possible solution
for coming out is to move research focus to those aspects of brain-machine interaction that
usually do not receive much attention. The study of consciousness is one of such important
aspects, as this talk seeks to prove, that could eventually allow us to bring BMI technology to
the advanced stages, making its capabilities closer to capabilities of those BMI devices that
appear in science fiction. Understanding consciousness and how it arises from the brain is
crucial for achieving that goal. And BMI technology itself provides a lot of new questions and
opportunities for consciousness research. BMI can progress far enough to allow such levels of
integration between artificial devices and biological neural networks that they could work as
a single system, not just separate entities communicating between each other. But how consciousness
can then be represented in this mixed system? Will consciousness be privilege of
living part only? Can the artificial part add something to conscious experience or even expand
it? Furthermore, it would be possible to integrate neural systems of different living organisms
by interfacing them to single artificial network. Will their consciousness be integrated then
too? And how can such integrated mind be experienced? This talk explores ways in which
Brain-Machine Interfaces can contribute to consciousness research, and discusses how better
understanding of consciousness in context of brain-machine interaction will allow us to build
BMI systems with extended capabilities. P1
33 Consciousness And The Technological Demiurge Paul Evans
(The Sapphire Institute, Charleston, SC)
In this presentation transhumanism and the role of machines in consciousness are explored
as the central Zeitgeist of the early 21st century.. Literary works of Paolo Bacigalupi, Robert
J. Sawyer and the technical writing of Ray Kurzweil are examined in the light of today’s
dominant movie genres and such films as Blade Runner, The Matrix, Terminator and Avatar.
Also, emerging roles of virtual experience on Facebook, Second Life, and even modern drone
warfare are suggested as vehicles for abstracting humans from face-to-face community and
as surrogates for real life. The ideas that technological singularity will enable humans to be-