"The Cognitive Revolution" | AI Builders, Researchers, and Live Player Analysis

AI Consciousness? Exploring the Possibility with Prof. Eric Schwitzgebel

25 snips
Aug 10, 2024
Guest
Eric Schwitzgebel
Join Professor Eric Schwitzgebel, a philosopher from UC Riverside, as he dives into the intriguing realm of AI consciousness. He discusses philosophical theories like dualism and idealism, unpacking their implications for AI ethics. The conversation challenges our understanding of perception across species, including garden snails, and explores the moral responsibilities of AI developers. Schwitzgebel emphasizes the need for caution in AI design, raising thought-provoking questions about consciousness that resonate deeply in our evolving technological landscape.
Ask episode
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
INSIGHT

Defining Consciousness

  • Consciousness is often defined as "what it's like to be something".
  • This definition can be unclear, so defining it by example may be more helpful.
INSIGHT

Theories of Consciousness

  • We can use examples of consciousness to define the term, even if not all cases are clear.
  • Theories about consciousness are needed to discuss edge cases like animal consciousness.
ANECDOTE

Descartes' Cat

  • René Descartes reportedly threw a cat out a window, claiming animals are mere machines.
  • This highlights how different theories of consciousness affect how we view other beings.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
Get the app