Rules for Proving Physicalism

Actually written FEBRUARY 22, 2015

Rules for proving physicalism (that consciousness is nothing more than matter and energy): Using only physical concepts, show how a group of physical stuff is an instance of consciousness. (Hint: explain why one group of physical stuff is an instance of consciousness while another group is not.) Do not sneak in any concepts of consciousness into the premises of your proof. (Hint 1: don’t use concepts like “representation” or “information” and so on. Strictly use concepts of physical causality.) (Hint 2: don’t reference the brain, as in “It physically functions like a brain, and a brain is conscious, therefore it is an instance of consciousness.” That’s a non sequitur cop-out that proves nothing.) Ready? … Go!

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