Alien Minds by Susan Schneider

Would Aliens be conscious? This is an important question but hard, if not impossible, one to answer. I guess this is part of what we need to know to be ready for first contact. Philosophers have been asking similar questions about Artificial Intelligence with no clear answer. The problem lies of course in that we don't know, yet, what consciousness is, and where it lies in our bodies (or somewhere else). 

One way to explore this topic is by speculating about the nature of aliens and draw parallels with our experience. Would it be more likely that aliens, if they are so technologically advanced to come here, have already evolved into postbiological beings? Some sort of Superintelligent Atificial Intelligence (SAI)? "Silicon is a better medium for thinking than carbon." However, could silicon-based superintelligent beings be conscious? 🤔 

Here on earth, scientists are already predicting a singularity in the coming decades. We will create superintelligent AI. Will they be conscious? 🤔 

And what about the scientists working on mind upload? That process in which you make digital copies of your brain/mind and upload them into a computer. Will that digital copy be YOU? Will it be conscious? Biological Naturalism states that "consciousness requires a biological substrate" so supporters of this movement would reject any silicon-based life form theory. Interesting read which raises more questions than answers.