If octopuses are conscious but our common ancestor wasn't, functionalism gains real evidence
JoshPurtell · x · 2026-10-06
In a debate on consciousness, the author argues that a world where humans are conscious, octopuses possibly so, but their common ancestor not, is prima facie evidence that consciousness can be produced in many ways—so algorithmic functionalism must be taken seriously. He stays broadly agnostic on which human brain features are necessary preconditions, while strongly believing other humans and vertebrates are conscious.
Related event: Octopus Consciousness Sparks Debate on Functionalism(2 posts)→
More from AGI Musings
- "Watching 15 years of learning become a button": the psychological toll of AI rarely discussed — sull · 2026-10-06
- tszzl: Mechanistic interpretability is the bare minimum to make AI alignment an engineering discipline — tszzl · 2026-10-06
- Claude produces O(n^1.9992) 3SUM algorithm with Lean proof, vetted by top experts — thegautamkamath · 2026-10-06
- JoshPurtell: Sutton Accepting Extinction Risk Isn't the Same as Willing Extinction — JoshPurtell · 2026-10-06
- NYMag Deep-Dive on Anthropic Resignation: How Lab Race Cultures Converge on the Same Unsafe Dynamics — Miles_Brundage · 2026-10-06
- Researchers Push Back on Scott Aaronson: Alignment Is Solvable RL, Not Theology — sebkrier · 2026-10-06