Can We Digitize a Neuron?

#1

Post by corbettdrummey » Wed, Oct 29, 2025, 9:27 PM UTC

Re: Can We Digitize a Neuron?

#2

Post by corbettdrummey » Wed, Oct 29, 2025, 9:27 PM UTC

This has been a question that’s fascinated me for almost 15 years — I figured if we can digitize one, why not two? Why not all?

It reminded me of the Ship of Theseus, where they kept repairing it plank by plank, until philosophers wondered if it’s still the same ship. After recently leaving my last role, I returned to this question to research it, and decided to write about it. Hope you enjoy!

Re: Can We Digitize a Neuron?

#3

Post by ggm » Wed, Oct 29, 2025, 9:53 PM UTC

corbettdrummey wrote: post #2

This has been a question that’s fascinated me for almost 15 years — I figured if we can digitize one, why not two? Why not all? It reminded me of the Ship of Theseus, where they kept repairing it plank by plank, until philosophers wondered if it’s still the same ship. After recently leaving my last role, I returned to this question to research it, and decided to write about it. Hope you enjoy!

Daniel Dennett wrote about this in "the minds eye" 1981

Re: Can We Digitize a Neuron?

#4

Post by corbettdrummey » Wed, Oct 29, 2025, 10:31 PM UTC

ggm wrote: post #3

corbettdrummey wrote: post #2

This has been a question that’s fascinated me for almost 15 years — I figured if we can digitize one, why not two? Why not all? It reminded me of the Ship of Theseus, where they kept repairing it plank by plank, until philosophers wondered if it’s still the same ship. After recently leaving my last role, I returned to this question to research it, and decided to write about it. Hope you enjoy!

Daniel Dennett wrote about this in "the minds eye" 1981

Thanks for the recco! Just ordered it. I mostly wanted to explore in the article how far the science has come toward the theoretical question. Turns out, quite far indeed...

Re: Can We Digitize a Neuron?

#5

Post by ggm » Wed, Oct 29, 2025, 10:44 PM UTC

corbettdrummey wrote: post #4

ggm wrote: post #3

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Daniel Dennett wrote about this in "the minds eye" 1981

Thanks for the recco! Just ordered it. I mostly wanted to explore in the article how far the science has come toward the theoretical question. Turns out, quite far indeed...

Dennett uses a thought experiment fictional example to explore the 'but what does cognition mean' aspect. The work as a whole is great, possibly dated, but a good read.

I should have said its joint with Hofstadter, it's a collection of essays, the one in question is by Arnold Zuboff.