Consciousness is private, so direct observation from outside cannot sense consciousness. Perhaps, objective tests can prove that systems have sensations and subjective feeling {consciousness, tests}. Such tests require that subjective and objective interact. Are there tests, such as EEG wave or pattern, to prove that human, animal, or machine has consciousness? [Drummond, 2000] [Kulli and Koch, 1991] [Madler and Pöppel, 1987].
animals and human tests
Perhaps, indirect tests, using human-perception methods, can indicate whether animals have consciousness. Perhaps, animals that perceive same visual illusions as humans have same sense qualities. Perhaps, animals that respond to color that only human-like opponent processes can detect have same sense qualities. Probably, anatomy and physiology differences cause animals and humans to have different consciousness levels and types.
behaviors
Sensations do not have to cause overt body movement or glandular activity. Overt behavior appears to need no mental component or factor, so movements or behaviors cannot prove consciousness. Vocalizations, voluntary movements, involuntary movements, learning, anticipation, fear, emotions, preferences, choices, and adaptability to new situations show intelligence but not consciousness.
blushing
Perhaps, blushing reveals that organisms are aware, because only humans blush.
communication
Animals can communicate without consciousness, so communication does not show consciousness.
complexity
Computers can use high-level processing, have complex functioning, use reasoning, use language, and have pseudo-emotional responses, but they do not show consciousness. Turing test is about intelligence, not consciousness.
confidence
Perhaps, perception confidence shows consciousness amount [Arnold et al., 2001] [Dennett and Kinsbourne, 1992] [Kolb and Braun, 1995] [Kunimoto et al., 2001] [Moutoussis and Zeki, 1997] [Nishida and Johnston, 2002] [Zeki, 1998] [Zeki and Bartels, 1999] [Zeki and Moutoussis, 1997].
crying
Perhaps, crying reveals that organism is conscious, because only humans cry.
delay test
Perhaps, animal, baby, or patient ability to delay response after sense stimulus {delay test} indicates consciousness.
emotion complexity
Perhaps, having complex emotions, like confidence and regret, proves consciousness. Emotional feeling typically involves consciousness.
eye focusing
Unconscious people cannot focus eyes. Eye focusing can show that people are conscious.
imitation
Perhaps, animals can feel subjective experiences only if they can imitate. Imitation requires that organism be able to use perception and memory to form behavior representation that can initiate movement. Human infants can imitate sounds, gestures, and body positions. Birds can imitate bird songs. Parrots can imitate sounds. However, animal imitation happens in same situation that caused original behavior and so can just happen by chance and then reinforce. Whales can imitate whale songs [Reiss, 1998].
mirror imitation
Pigeons, monkeys, and apes can use mirrors to guide movements. Children, including autistic children, use mirrors as human adults do.
indirect test
Perhaps, indirect tests, comparing system to human conscious perception, can indicate consciousness. For example, animals can perceive visual illusions or features that depend on consciousness. Perhaps, voluntary muscle or gland action is after stimulus, but no direct pathway connects stimulus and action, such as if face muscles react to toe pain.
intelligence
Vocalizations, voluntary movements, involuntary movements, learning, anticipation, fear, emotions, preferences, choices, and adaptability to new situations show intelligence but not consciousness.
machine ability
Machines without consciousness have high-level processing abilities, complex functioning, reasoning ability, language usage, and pseudo-emotional responses. Perhaps, indirect tests, using human-perception methods, can indicate whether machines have consciousness. Perhaps, machines that can perceive the same visual illusions as humans have similar sense qualities. Perhaps, machines that respond to color that only human-like opponent processes can detect have same sense qualities.
movement
Sensations do not have to cause overt body movement or glandular activity, so no specific movements indicate consciousness. Overt behavior appears to need no mental component or factor, so movements or behaviors cannot prove consciousness. Vocalizations, voluntary movements, involuntary movements, learning, anticipation, fear, emotions, preferences, choices, and adaptability to new situations show intelligence but not consciousness.
problem-solving
Animals can solve problems without consciousness, so problem-solving does not show consciousness.
self-control
Machines without consciousness can control themselves, so self-control does not show consciousness.
high-level function
Perhaps, animals can have lower-level subjective experiences but cannot perform higher functions, such as being kind, knowing beauty, being friendly, laughing, being moral, having goals, having motivation, being in love, using high-level language ability, using metaphor, being truly creative, thinking about itself, solving new problem types, and having sensation. People can judge that animals are conscious, because they have high-level processing abilities [Feinberg, 1969].
Consciousness>Consciousness>Tests
Outline of Knowledge Database Home Page
Description of Outline of Knowledge Database
Date Modified: 2022.0224