So... When does consciousness begin? At what exact point in evolution did consciousness first manifest, and what are the signs?kep wrote:On consciousness: I think consciousness was evolved by our genes to allow us to learn behaviors that benefit them. Simpler animals only have instinct and don't change their behavior in their lifetime. We learn through experiences that are registered by the means of emotions and our decisions are made because of them. Artificial intelligence doesn't have consciousness because it was made by a higher intelligence (human) with the purpose to serve it.
By 'simpler animals', do you mean all animals other than Homo sapiens or all animals before the earliest hominids, or what classification? Are all 'simpler animals' unconscious? How can you tell? What are the criteria? How do you test for consciousness? If you could teach an old dog a new trick (i.e. persuade him to change his behaviour in his lifetime), would that prove consciousness in that one individual dog, or suggest consciousness in domestic dogs, or all of the species canis lupus?
Much to explore.
