UNIVERSITY AT BUFFALO - STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK
The Department of Computer Science & Engineering

CSE 719: SEMINAR ON COMPUTATIONAL THEORIES OF CONSCIOUSNESS (Fall 2009)

Instructor:	Prof. William J. Rapaport
Times:	F 1:00–3:50 P.M.
Classroom:	242 Bell

Course Description:
This seminar will examine computational theories of consciousness.

Questions that we will consider include:

• What is consciousness?
• Is there a difference between "psychological" consciousness (e.g., consciousness as a control mechanism) and "phenomenological" consciousness (e.g., the "feeling" of being conscious)?
• How do you know whether an entity is conscious?
• How would you know whether an entity that is psychologically consious is also phenomenologically conscious?
• How would you know whether an entity that is phenomemologically conscious experiences things the way that you do?
• Can there be unconscious agents (sometimes called "zombies")?
• Can computers be psychologically and/or phenomenologically conscious?

During the first half of the semester, we will look at recent philosophical, psychological, and neuroscientific theories of consciousness. The second half will focus on computational theories.

Students may enroll for 1, 2, or 3 credits; the seminar will be graded on an S/U basis. Student presentations and/or a written report will be required.

Prerequisites: Graduate standing and some prior knowledge of either AI or philosophy, or permission of the instructor.

Related web pages:

• Syllabus
• Email Archive
• Directory of on-line documents