Jacob Su

Consciousness in Artificial Intelligence: A Philosophical Perspective Through the Lens of Motivation and Volition

Started Apr. 20, 2023

Abstract or project description

In this paper, I explore philosophically the relationship between consciousness, motivation, and volition. I then expand these relationships to artificial intelligence (AI). To accomplish this, I first establish a benchmark for the definition of consciousness and then argue that consciousness is the initiator of motivation. In other words, consciousness is required for motivation to exist at all. This is because the desirability and feasibility criteria of motivation necessitate consciousness. On the other hand, volition does not require consciousness and instead is a mechanical planning and execution process that can exist independently of consciousness. These relationships are then extended to artificial intelligence (AI), exploring how consciousness, motivation, and volition may look in artificial intelligence. I first review the historical perspectives and thought experiments that contemplate the challenges of recognizing consciousness or motivation in AI. I then conclude by discussing ways to identify true conscious and motivated behavior in AI based on philosophical principles.