APQ - APPON PHILOSOPHICAL QUARTERLY

This paper offers a critical appraisal of Roger Penrose's perspective regarding the link between quantum mechanics and consciousness, as well as the limitations of artificial intelligence. From the point of view of a thorough-blended physicist and philosopher, Penrose has argued that consciousness stems from the Orchestrated Objective Reduction (Orch-OR) process in microtubules within neurons; a process that is influenced by quantum mechanics. Penrose has further proceeded to highlight the fundamental differences between human consciousness and AI-while the Orch-OR process in microtubules makes it possible for human consciousness to go beyond computational limits and allows for non-algorithmic and non-logical decisions, AI systems are essentially bound by computational rules and thus cannot replicate the intricacies of human consciousness. By this argument, he undermines the notion that Artificial Intelligence (AI) can effectively reproduce human consciousness. Taking the methodological approach of a critical textual analysis of Penrose's philosophical framework and drawing upon his numerous works, this paper examines in detail the implications of Penrose's ideas on the nature of consciousness and the potential limitations of AI. This paper submits that the ideas of Penrose have significant implications for our understanding of consciousness and the human experience. Emphasizing the role of quantum mechanics in the phenomenon of consciousness, Penrose's perspective challenges the dominant computational paradigm in AI research and encourages a fuller investigation of the workings of the human mind. Largely, this paper-in agreement with Roger Penrose advances a vigorous evaluation of the limits of AI, and underscores the need for a more comprehensive understanding of the prodigious phenomenon of human consciousness.

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