Quote Originally Posted by Serkat View Post
I was arguing that mathematical and behavioristic models of neural networks aren't anything like a brain if they run on something that's not itself neural in natural.
Why not? Who said there is a limit to what can be accomplished with artificial materials? Who has drawn this line between nature and manmade things? Technically, our artificial materials are a part of nature. We were created as a part of nature, and our creations must therefore also be a part of nature.

Why does consciousness have to be biological? I understand what you're saying, but does an artificial brain really have to mirror the biological brain completely for it to be conscious?