Your argument that P2 is question-begging misses the point. The assumption is not that the replacement neurons can replicate consciousness, it is that they can replicate the behaviour of the biological neurons. This nuance is missed if words such as "function" are used: perhaps function includes consciousness, and then the assumption would be question-begging. But for the reductio to go through, the assumption is that what is replicated is just the behaviour without consciousness. So the artificial neuron will accept input from the biological neurons, do c... (read more)
Your argument that P2 is question-begging misses the point. The assumption is not that the replacement neurons can replicate consciousness, it is that they can replicate the behaviour of the biological neurons. This nuance is missed if words such as "function" are used: perhaps function includes consciousness, and then the assumption would be question-begging. But for the reductio to go through, the assumption is that what is replicated is just the behaviour without consciousness. So the artificial neuron will accept input from the biological neurons, do c... (read more)