Computational States and Mental States: A Classical Type - Identity Theory Perspective on Artificial Intelligence

This article examines whether computational states can be identical to mental states under classical Type-Identity Theory of mind. It investigates the distinction between genuine thinking and computational simulation by situating contemporary artificial intelligence within the framework of classical philosophy of mind. The analysis draws on Type-Identity Theory, Leibniz’s Identity of Indiscernibles, the Shapiro‒Polger framework for evaluating identity claims, and Searle’s Chinese Room Argument. These frameworks are applied to assess whether the computational states of artificial intelligence possess the properties required for numerical identity with human mental states. The paper argues that computational states fail to satisfy the necessary conditions for identity because they differ from mental states in essential physical, structural, and semantic properties. Consequently, within the classical identity framework, computational firing cannot be regarded as identical to human mental states.