Murray Shanahan: What are Conscious Exotica? Consciousness, AI & the Space of Possible Minds
Mind-Body Solution
Exploring the Nature of Consciousness and Self-Awareness
Consciousness does not operate in a constant state of self-awareness; often, individuals function on autopilot, raising questions about the nature of consciousness itself. The illusion of continuous self-awareness contrasts with the reality that people are frequently unaware of their surroundings or inner states. There exists a notion among philosophers of 'privileged access' to one's consciousness, which stems from the unique perspective each individual has regarding their immediate environment. This access is not inherently mysterious; it is rooted in the personal experience of perceiving the world uniquely. However, philosophical discussions often complicate this concept by attributing a deeper, more enigmatic form of privileged access to direct experience, leading to misconceptions. The tendency to 'thingify' or reify experiences transforms them into abstract entities, complicating their understanding and creating unnecessary philosophical dilemmas. The real insight lies in recognizing the pitfalls of misinterpreting consciousness as a static entity rather than acknowledging the fluid, often unconscious nature of human awareness.
