Oh, so simple. Go measure it then.

The definition of "featherless biped" might have more practical merit, because you can at least check for feathers and count limbs touching the ground in a mostly reliable fashion.

We have no way to "check for qualia" at all. For all we know, an ECU in a year 2002 Toyota Hilux has it, but 10% of all humans don't.

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amanaplanacanal 2 days ago | parent [-]

Plenty of things are real that can't be measured, including many physical sensations and emotions.

I won't say they are impossible to ever be measured, but we currently have no idea how.

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ACCount37 2 days ago | parent [-]

If you can't measure it and can't compare it, then for all practical purposes, it does not exist.

"Consciousness" might as well not be real. The only real and measurable thing is capabilities.

	▲	amanaplanacanal 2 days ago \| parent [-]
		Oof. Tell chronic pain patients that their pain doesn't exist. I guess depression doesn't exist either. Or love.