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15. Nature of Minds / B. Features of Minds / 1. Consciousness / d. Purpose of consciousness

[reasons why our minds are conscious]

12 ideas
To understand is the absolute virtue of the mind [Spinoza]
All of our normal mental life could be conducted without consciousness [Nietzsche]
Only the need for communication has led to consciousness developing [Nietzsche]
Consciousness exists to the extent that consciousness is useful [Nietzsche]
Consciousness is a 'tool' - just as the stomach is a tool [Nietzsche]
Some activities are performed better without consciousness of them [Dretske]
Conscious creatures seem able to discriminate better [Searle]
There is consciousness whenever behaviour must be explained in terms of mental activity [Scruton]
Can we explain behaviour without consciousness? [Chalmers]
Consciousness can create new axioms, but computers can't do that [Edelman/Tononi]
Consciousness is a malfunction of evolution [Zizek]
A very powerful computer might have its operations restricted by the addition of consciousness [Clark,T]