Researches On Absent Qualia Problem

Absent Qualia Argument, which rised up against Functionalism’s prevailing, indicates that machines having the same conscious experience as human being’s contradicts our intuitions. Based on intuitions, the argument conceives a special scenario called “Absent Qualia”, in which case only one of two Functional Equivalent Identities has Qualia, while the other do not. If it is a possible scenario, then Functionalism will be failed. In order to expound that “Absent Qualia” is a possible case, Ned Block conceived a series of thought experiments, trying to demonstrate that Functionalism is not a sound doctrine.David Chalmers questioned the intuitions Ned Block relied on by conceiving his own thought experiments. He argued that although “Absent Qualia” may be logically possible, but it is not empirically possible. He also argued there is an important distinction between these two kinds of possibilities. Appealing to thought experiments, somehow his argument relies on intuitions just as Block. In the same time it may be begging the question.Experimental Philosopher questioned the intuitions Ned Block relied on by social survey. They argued that Absent Qualia Argument, like many philosophical argument, relies on intuitions which is contributed by cultural diversity. But cultural diversity do not play a role as vital as they have thought in their expounding. Again their own argument is relying intuitions.This essay concerns Absent Qualia Argument as a main topic. By analyzing critics and arguments against AQA, I draw the conclusion that although AQA relies on intuitions, but the arguments against it make the same mistakes of relying on intuitions. Meanwhile, concerning the relation between Moral Entity and Conscious Entity may give a solution to qualia problem. Studies of our moral intuition over the relation of Moral Entity and Conscious Entity is important to the future AI research.