People studying consciousness get repeatedly dragged back to basic questions about the nature of consciousness, the hard problem and whether computers are conscious. Some of these problems are linked to the tools that we use to study consciousness, such as imagination and thought experiments. Other problems are linked to the measurement of consciousness through first-person reports.

Scientific research on consciousness does not directly engage with these problems. But they are legitimate concerns that could invalidate scientific results. The endless inconclusive debates suggest that these problems cannot be solved. But we can make reasonable assumptions that explicitly set them aside. The results from the science of consciousness can then be considered to be true given these assumptions.

This talk will outline my approach to the scientific study of consciousness. This uses a framework of definitions and assumptions to neutralise most of the problems with consciousness. I will explain how we can accurately measure consciousness and the physical world, and develop mathematical theories of consciousness that can answer questions about the consciousness of brain-damaged patients, bats and robots.

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By: Luke Scott
Last updated: Friday, 1 May 2015