Question

I read somewhere that philosophical zombies can think. However, I don't think that is true at all. I believe thinking and loving are mental states, and only conscious beings can have mental states. Sure, there is brain activity going on, but it is not accompanied by any subjective sensation of thought or love. So, can philosophical zombies think or love?

Answer 1

Philosophical zombies, if they were possible, would lack subjective experience and consciousness, and therefore would not be able to think or love.

Step-by-step explanation:

According to the concept of philosophical zombies, these beings can mimic all the physical actions, behaviors, and cognitive processes of a conscious being, but they lack subjective experience or consciousness.

While it is debated in philosophy whether philosophical zombies can truly exist, the general consensus is that if they were possible, they would not be capable of having mental states such as thoughts or emotions. Mental states like thinking and loving are typically associated with consciousness and subjective experience.

Therefore, based on our understanding of mental states and consciousness, it is unlikely that philosophical zombies can actually think or love.