Consciousness and computers

Holmes, Neville (2007) Consciousness and computers. Computer, 40 (7). 100, 98-99. ISSN 0018-9162

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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1109/MC.2007.235

Abstract

Although it now seems to be accepted that the mind is a process and the brain is the processor for the mind, a new kind of dualism seems to be springing up: human consciousness and animal unconsciousness. This has lead to much discussion of the contrast between the conscious mind of human and perhaps a few slect other animals, and the unconscious mind we inherited from "lower" animals. The distinction between consciousness and unconsciousness in our minds is laboured and unreal. What distinctions there are can be understood by analogy with the states and strutures of digital computers, but the full story is much more complex. This article explored these distinctions and makes recommendations relevant to computing professionals.

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Keywords:	the mind, digital computer states, consciousness, unconsciousness, perception, sensation
Subjects:	380000 Behavioural and Cognitive Sciences > 380100 Psychology > 380101 Sensory Processes, Perception and Performance 320000 Medical and Health Sciences > 320700 Neurosciences 290000 Engineering and Technology > 291600 Computer Hardware > 291605 Processor Architectures 380000 Behavioural and Cognitive Sciences > 380300 Cognitive Science > 380303 Computer Perception, Memory and Attention 380000 Behavioural and Cognitive Sciences > 380300 Cognitive Science > 380301 Philosophy of Cognition
ID Code:	1372
Deposited By:	Mr Neville Holmes
Deposited On:	16 Jul 2007
Last Modified:	09 Jan 2008 02:30
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