Mind Over Matter?

[bennyboy]

I don't disbelieve in the capactiy of a neural network to sustain consciousness. I disbelieve that there is any function of human behavior that couldn't be replicated as well by a philosophical zombie as by an actually-sentient human being. If the universe were purely a mechanical one, then there would be nothing but things doing stuff-- no consciousness required. Therefore, I have to include that the possibility of sentience is intrinsically included in the makeup of the universe: i.e. that it's no less a part of reality than gravity.