Non-Computability of Consciousness

Research in the field of artificial intelligence, which attempts to imitate and simulate intelligent activities using a machine, has blossomed along with the development of information technology [1]. Because the study of artificial intelligence has provided many insights into intelligent behaviors such as pattern recognition, decision theory, etc., there is a question whether consciousness or self-awareness could emerge out of a computational system, a view termed as strong artificial intelligence. This question can be rephrased and stated as follows: Are all conscious activities computational processes?. In this paper, the answer to this question is shown to be no. In order to examine the computability of a physical phenomenon, the phenomenon should first be represented as a computational model; subsequently, the computability of this particular model can be examined. The physical phenomenon can then be claimed to be computable or not based on this examination. A similar approach will be taken in order to examine the computability of consciousness. Because consciousness is a phenomenon experienced by an observer, representation of consciousness as a computational process will be attempted and its computability will be examined.