CF Debate

Simulation Equivalence Argument

SubstrateMethodologyComputational

Overview

Simulating the weather on a computer does not make anything wet. Simulating consciousness on a computer should likewise not be assumed to generate consciousness.

Responses

  1. Argue that consciousness is the kind of phenomenon that is preserved under simulation (e.g. a simulation of a multiplication or a story is still the same multiplication or story).

  2. Argue that entities within the simulation would experience the simulated weather, assuming they are capable of conscious experiences.

    BUT: This assumes that simulated entities within the computation could be conscious. But whether such entities can exist is precisely what CF claims and what we're trying to evaluate. The response therefore begs the question. (The original simulation argument similarly begs the question against CF.) While this line of reasoning helps clarify what each position entails, it doesn't provide independent evidence for or against CF.

Further reading