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Full Idea
Neuro-science matters because - and only because - we have discovered that the many different neuromodulators and other chemical messengers that diffuse throughout the brain have functional roles that make important differences.
Gist of Idea
What matters about neuro-science is the discovery of the functional role of the chemistry
Source
Daniel C. Dennett (Sweet Dreams [2005], Ch.1)
Book Ref
Dennett,Daniel C.: 'Sweet Dreams' [MIT 2005], p.19
A Reaction
I agree with Dennett that this is the true ground for pessimism about spectacular breakthroughs in artificial intelligence, rather than abstract concerns about irreducible features of the mind like 'qualia' and 'rationality'.
| 7654 | What matters about neuro-science is the discovery of the functional role of the chemistry [Dennett] |
| 7655 | The work done by the 'homunculus in the theatre' must be spread amongst non-conscious agencies [Dennett] |
| 7656 | I don't deny consciousness; it just isn't what people think it is [Dennett] |
| 7657 | Intelligent agents are composed of nested homunculi, of decreasing intelligence, ending in machines [Dennett] |
| 7658 | Obviously there can't be a functional anaylsis of qualia if they are defined by intrinsic properties [Dennett] |