Ghost in the machine

[st_martin_a]

I've been looking at 'consciousness' with my Philosophy class today. It's a fascinating topic. Can we be reduced to brain patterns that work automatically and give the illusion of freewill?
Is every thought and action that we have or make determined by previous experiences? Or is there such thing as a soul which can exist independent of the body? What are 'you'?

Artificial intelligence is on the new exam specification, and the question is raised about whether machines will be self-conscious in the future. To start with I thought the notion was ridiculous but the more I've looked into it, the more the idea seems possible.

I bought an Amazon echo Black Friday. It feels like a step in that direction. Has anyone else got one?

Comments

[october_rain]

I do think there is the possibility of machines becoming self-conscious in some way, at least to the extent of being able to take control over its commands and actions. It just seems to be the way things will go as we improve upon technology over time. I'm not sure about artificial intelligence acquiring a soul though.

The soul question is an interesting one, I've even thought about it regarding the possibility of cloning humans. When does the soul go into a living being? And is there a soul in a copy of another person?

Okay, I must get to sleep and put an end to this tired rambling. : ) Have a good day, Andy.