I think I am in total agreement with nwr's position.
then two systems that have the similar functional properties and architectures should have "similar consciousness". How similar do they need to be to consider the consciousnesses the same?
That two systems "act" the same and so produce the same result does not mean that they are the same. People crank out computers and other devices which "interact" in a low level AI sort of way all the time. Though each may act in an identical fashion to any other device they are not seen as the same device.
Why does multiplicity and similarity suggest identicality? In the end each of those devices (and ourselves) will distinguish the others as different and "outside" themselves and so something that is NOT the same.
If you define consciousness functionally, then there's no limitation to the number of times the "same" consciousness arises or how many intances of the same thing you can have at once.
If I am getting what you are driving at then its an interesting concept. Are you saying that if we define consciousness based on input/output schemes (emergent properties of a system), then in a technical sense we can have "reincarnations" of systems, sometimes even when they are still alive?
I'd buy that all up until the point that we realize they do not recognize their belonging to each other, and are incapable of sharing all new experiences.
consciousness cannot be shared, cannot be discontinuous, cannot be instantiated in different physical systems with the same functional properties?
I think it may very well be possible. Imagine future tech where we replace portions of a brain (cells and entire nets) so that a person can continue living past major brain damage. With enough patchwork replacement over time that would in a great sense be transferring one mind to a new body's brain. I don't see why we couldn't allow the mind to "travel" in that way, but the mind will have to (be able to) recognize that process.
holmes {in temp decloak from lurker mode}
"What a fool believes he sees, no wise man has the power to reason away." (D.Bros)
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