Many Minds cover image

Many Minds

Can we measure consciousness?

May 16, 2024
Tim Bayne, a Professor of Philosophy at Monash University specializing in consciousness, delves into the intriguing question of measuring consciousness. He discusses boundary cases like brain organoids and neonates, illustrating the complexities of assessing conscious experience. Bayne introduces various tests, including the command-following and sniff tests, aiming to create a universal measure for consciousness. Ethical implications of these assessments spark a profound conversation on what it means to be conscious across humans, animals, and even AI.
01:10:29

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Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • The complexity of defining consciousness continues to challenge researchers, with historical shifts revealing a struggle for empirical understanding and consensus in the field.
  • The podcast examines boundary cases such as brain organoids and infants that complicate the application of consciousness tests, raising ethical and scientific concerns.

Deep dives

The Complexity of Consciousness

Consciousness remains a profound topic within philosophy and cognitive science, stirring ambivalence among researchers. Many are fascinated by its nature, recalling childhood experiences questioning the consciousness of various beings. However, the subject's subjectivity complicates scientific study, often leading to skepticism about its legitimacy as a scientific endeavor. This complexity is emphasized by historical shifts in perspectives, such as the behaviorists' dismissal of consciousness in the early 20th century, which suggests an ongoing struggle to define and empirically study this phenomenon.

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