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Will be resolved YES if it's discovered that gorillas are in fact conscious by EOY 2024 or a general consensus is reached
The definition of consciousness in this case would be do they have an inner experience like we do (see colours, feel touch, hear sound etc.) or do they process the world like a cold machine with complex maths that just gives the illusion that they have an inner experience
Related questions
In most countries, there are laws against cruelty to animals, however inconsistently or hypocritically applied. Having these laws presupposes a strong public consensus that animals are conscious in the sense that you're asking about.
there is no definite proof that they are in fact conscious
What are your standards for such proof?
Proof would need to be more than declarations or legal standards, which can be influenced by ethical considerations rather than scientific consensus. Public consensus could, for example, be swayed by robust neuroimaging studies showing gorillas having neural patterns similar to those seen in conscious experiences in humans, or a scientific breakthrough that redefines the way we understand consciousness as a whole. AI can mimic reasoning and behaviour without consciousness, indicating that complex behaviour alone isn't sufficient evidence for consciousness.