Does ConsScale deal with the hard problem of consciousness?

In principle, ConsScale is aimed exclusively at the "easy problems" of consciousness. In other words, the scale is focused on cognitive skills associated with consciousness, but makes no claims or look for any specific proof of phenomenal consciousness. 

  Even considering a purely functional point of view, setting aside the philosophical implications of phenomenology, the complexity of multiple cognitive processes and their associated combined dynamics makes it difficult to effectively model and design artificial conscious systems. 

  Whether or not human-like conscious machines are possible remains an open question. However, many different cognitive skills, which usually are identified in humans, are the inspiration of nowadays artificial implementations. 

  Current research in artificial cognitive systems seems to conclude that a number of cognitive skills are to be successfully integrated into a single situated agent in order to build an artificial human-like mind. Furthermore, consciousness (at least from a functional point of view) might emerge as a result of the synergy developed during the interaction of multiple concurrent cognitive processes. But some of the pending design questions are: what is the right combination of cognitive skills? How exactly should they be integrated? What cognitive capabilities are completely required for consciousness? Which others are expendable? Which ones should be implemented first? 

  We have proposed ConsScale as an attempt to shed some light into the resolution of the former questions. The issue of phenomenal consciousness can be studied in parallel as more advanced forms of Machine Consciousness (ConsScale levels 4 to 10) are envisaged or even designed.

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