When people say computer here they mean computation as computer scientists conceive of it. Abstract mathematical operations that can be modeled by boolean circuits or Turing machines, and embodied in physical processes. Computers in the sense you’re talking about (computer hardware) are one method of embodying these operations.
I probably should have worded my last reply differently, because modeling the human brain with boolean circuits and turing machines is mainly what I have an issue with. While I’m not particularly knowledgable on the brain side of things, I can see the resemblance between neurons and logic gates. However, my contention is that the material constraints of how those processes are embodied are going to have a significant effect on how the system works (not to say that you were erasing this effect entirely).
I want to say more on the topic, but now that my mind is on it I want to put some time and effort into explaining my thoughts in its own post. I’ll @ you in a reply if/when I make the post.
However, my contention is that the material constraints of how those processes are embodied are going to have a significant effect on how the system works
Sure, but that’s no basis to think that a group of logic gates could not eventually be made to emulate a neuron. The neuron has a finite number of things it can do because of the same material constraints, and while one would probably end up larger than the other, increasing the physical distances between the thinking parts, that would surely only limit the speed of an emulated thought rather than its substance?
it still remains to be proved that consciousness can be emulated on a Turing machine. that’s a huge open problem. you can assume it’s true but your results are contingent.
When people say computer here they mean computation as computer scientists conceive of it. Abstract mathematical operations that can be modeled by boolean circuits or Turing machines, and embodied in physical processes. Computers in the sense you’re talking about (computer hardware) are one method of embodying these operations.
I probably should have worded my last reply differently, because modeling the human brain with boolean circuits and turing machines is mainly what I have an issue with. While I’m not particularly knowledgable on the brain side of things, I can see the resemblance between neurons and logic gates. However, my contention is that the material constraints of how those processes are embodied are going to have a significant effect on how the system works (not to say that you were erasing this effect entirely).
I want to say more on the topic, but now that my mind is on it I want to put some time and effort into explaining my thoughts in its own post. I’ll @ you in a reply if/when I make the post.
Sure, but that’s no basis to think that a group of logic gates could not eventually be made to emulate a neuron. The neuron has a finite number of things it can do because of the same material constraints, and while one would probably end up larger than the other, increasing the physical distances between the thinking parts, that would surely only limit the speed of an emulated thought rather than its substance?
it still remains to be proved that consciousness can be emulated on a Turing machine. that’s a huge open problem. you can assume it’s true but your results are contingent.