Let me save you the trouble. The live brain is conscious. The chopped-up brain is dead. I don't know which of your intermediate examples are alive or dead. Most of the intermediate examples are absurd. They might not even be possible given the laws of physics. It may not be possible to transition a brain between the states without killing it. Why do we care about these intermediate states anyway? They are merely a debating device being used to present an absurd theory, which on the face of it would be rejected. Hence, the slippery slope is required.
All theories of consciousness require causality. Cite a reference on pattern-based consciousness if you know of one. All known brains have evolved as connected causal brains. Cite an example of a dismembered brain or a pattern-based brain if you know of one. Your pattern example does not meet the definitions for living or consciousness. Your example seems to be based on the reader's failure to prove it is not conscious. Also, all of your pattern-brains seem to require causal brains to do their thinking for them. Show an example of a pattern based brain doing any kind of thought, communication, reaction, conclusions, memory storage, or something without the help of a causal brain.
Frankly, I am getting tired of repeatedly being asked to prove that the
pattern brain is not conscious while you ignore my objections and give no
evidence for your claim that it is conscious.
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Harvey Newstrom <mailto://newstrom@newstaffinc.com> <http://newstaffinc.com>
Author, Consultant, Engineer, Legal Hacker, Researcher, Scientist.