The Paradox Portal
Philosophical

Philosophical Zombie

Can there be beings behaviorally identical to humans but without consciousness?

Overview

A thought experiment about consciousness: beings identical to humans in every physical way but lacking subjective experience.

Imagine a 'zombie' physically and behaviorally identical to you but without consciousness - no qualia, no inner experience. If such beings are conceivable, consciousness can't be purely physical. But if they're impossible, physicalism about consciousness might be true.

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