The next part of the thought experiment asks you to imagine that I now surgically replace every axon in my brain with such a prosthetic axon chip. Question: Do you think that my brain would function any differently than before the replacement? Personally, I don't think it's functioning would change.

OK, now let's imagine I can devise a set of chips that work exactly like each of the types of synapses in my brain, and that I then replace each and every synapse with the appropriate chip. I also do this for every neuronal cell body and dendrite. Do you think that my brain would function any differently than before these additional replacements? Personally, I don't think it's functioning would change.

So what have we got, a brain that functions exactly like a human brain, but one that is made up of appropriately connected, silicon-based elements. What would the noted philosopher of mind John Searle think of this?

Finally, notice that in this case the silicon based elements are complex computer chips with special circuitry that fully mimic the neuronal function they replace. This is not equal to saying that such a human-like brain IS a computer. In fact, no mention has been made of software--of a computer program--only of dedicated hardware based on silicon instead of dedicated hardware--neurons--based on carbon. But, that does not mean this new brain could not ALSO be altered by running computer-like programs in it as well as letting it be self-actuated.

Next, we approach this same issue from a theoretical point of view.