Consciousness is not a physically provable property
Neurons and Cognition
2017-09-27 v2
Abstract
We present a logical proof that computing machines, and by extension physical systems, can never be certain if they possess conscious awareness. This implies that human consciousness is associated with a violation of energy conservation. We examine the significance that a particular interpretation of quantum mechanics, known as single mind Q (Barrett 1999), might have for the detection of such a violation. Finally we apply single mind Q to the problem of free will as it arises in some celebrated experiments by the neurophysiologist Benjamin Libet.
Cite
@article{arxiv.1705.00096,
title = {Consciousness is not a physically provable property},
author = {Cathy M Reason},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:1705.00096},
year = {2017}
}