The Adventure of Masie's Mind

by Kevin L. O'Brien

ability to derive a rule that links cause with effect; to take seemingly unrelated experiences and bits of information, and link them together to create a model of how something works. Abstraction is the ability to derive general ideas from specific objects and events."

  "Okay, gotcha!"

  "All right. The second, consciousness, is understood to be subjective self-awareness, the ability to distinguish between one's self and all other things and events. This in turn allows for intentionality, which is the ability to have thoughts that mean something or are about something."

  "Yeah, I can see that!"

  "Fine. Now that we have these concepts, we can use them to try to understand the difference between sentience, sapience, and consciousness. In this context, sentience would be the cognitive ability to have subjective perceptual experiences. These can be as simple as being able to feel pleasure or pain and react to it, or as complex as being able to understand pleasure or pain and to make conscious choices based on it. Even so, it's considered to be fundamentally different from intelligence, will, and imagination. Sentience is entirely subjective, being based on feelings, whether sensory feelings or emotional and cognitive feelings. Each person will feel or understand an experience differently, based on his or her own unique personality."

  "But, that would mean anything that can feel pain is sentient, even a one-celled organism," Eile said.

  "Precisely, but your question implies that you understand the problems: how do we distinguish between a real cognitive ability and mere reflex, and to what extent is this distinction even meaningful."

  "Actually, I was wondering how something that doesn't even have a brain can feel."

  "Oh. Well, that's an interesting question itself, but let's table it for another time. To continue, in comparison, many of the ideas implicit in Sunny's definition of sentience are better reflected by the concept of sapience. Sapience is connoted with wisdom and is defined as the ability to exercise appropriate judgment. Implicit in this concept is more than just intelligence, but also will and imagination. However, it doesn't imply consciousness."

  "So yer saying someone could be a genius, but not know he's one."

  "Yes, pretty much so."

  "But where does that leave us?" Sunny asked.

  "With a conundrum. Being separate, if interactive, aspects of the mind, sentience, sapience, and consciousness are certainly sufficient qualities for being a person, but they may not be necessary. As Eile pointed out, there are many creatures on Earth that demonstrate sentience but not sapience or consciousness, and so too there are many others that demonstrate the first two but not the third. Similarly, there's no reason to believe that there cannot be persons that demonstrate sapience but not sentience, or those that are sentient but have no empathy. There could even be persons that are conscious but not sapient or sentient. In the end, all we can do is admit that we really can't be sure what a person is. The only alternative would be to invent a complex system that attempts to categorize creatures on the basis of the degree of sentience, sapience, consciousness, empathy, technology, what have you, that they display. But that won't really tell us what constitutes the basic nature of what it means to be a 'person'."

  "Okay, we can grant you that," Eile said, "but what does that hafta do with whether yer a person?"

  "Well, I can't be sentient, because I can't have subjective perceptual experiences; in other words, I can't feel. And I can't be sapient, because I have no will or imagination, and I make decisions based on calculations of percentages, rather than exercising judgment, sound or otherwise."

  "But you yerself said a person could lack sentience and sapience but still be conscious."

  "That's true, but am I conscious?"

  "You're self-aware, aren't you?" Sunny said.

  "Am I?"

  "Well, sure, you know who you are, and you seem to distinguish yourself from us and your surroundings. And your thoughts seem to be meaningful."

  "The key phrase is 'seems to'. What appears to be self-awareness is just an exercise in logic: I am NOT Eile OR Sunny AND I am NOT human; ergo, I am me. As for meaningful thoughts, again, they are the result of probability calculations to determine the response that makes the most sense to you. They are not actual thoughts since they are not the result of a mental process."

  "What difference does it make?" Eile asked.

  There was silence as Masie hesitated in her response. "I don't understand."

  Eile grinned; she got the impression the AI had just received a 'Does Not Compute' error. "You've been talkin' like there's a difference between how you think and how we think. What if there isn't?"

  "Persons can use IF/THEN, maybe, and fuzzy logic; I cannot."

  "No, that's not what I meant. I'll concede we think in different ways, but what if it makes no difference how we think, as long as the result's the same?"

  Masie paused again. "I still don't understand."

  "I do!" Sunny squealed. "What she's trying to say is, maybe consciousness can be produced in a number of different ways instead of just one. Maybe, the appearance of consciousness is all that's necessary to be conscious."

  "You act as if yer self-aware. I think that's all that's necessary. I mean, Sunny and I act the same way, but how do we know we really are self-aware? Maybe it's as much an illusion for us as it is for you. But in that case, how we act, what we believe ta be true, would be what makes the difference."

  "But I don't think," Masie objected.

  "You said thinking was a cognitive process. What does cognitive mean?"

  "Cognition refers to a faculty for the processing of information, applying knowledge, and changing preferences."

  "Well, isn't that what you do, in a way?"

  "I --" Then Masie hesitated again. "Interesting idea." Eile imagined it ran into an unexpected calculation.

  "Yer method of thinking also makes you perceptive and experienced, and allows you to remember, based on yer stated definitions. And all that stuff you say you do. Aren't they examples of reasoning, planning, problem solving, comprehension, communication, and learning? If you can do all that, then you've got intellect, never mind how it works."

  "Yeah! And you said that wisdom was the ability to use knowledge well. Mayv wouldn't give you such an important responsibility if you couldn't do that. And how could you do a proper analysis without having insight or abstraction, or the imagination to make it all work?"

  Eile grinned. "Seems ta me like you've got both intellect and consciousness, so you must have a mind. So what if yer not really sentient or sapient? And if you have that, then you've gotta be a person. Right?"

  "Yes, very interesting. I've enjoyed this conversation immensely, and you've given me much to think about. But I don't wish to detain you any longer." The room's door opened. "Thank you, and come back anytime."

  Sunny smiled and said, "We will!", and she headed for the door, but stopped when Eile made no move.

  "Wait a second," she said, "what's all this been about?"

  "Please elaborate."

  "Mayv wouldn't tell us this place was off-limits, then set the palm reader to recognize Sunny, and I don't think it was a glitch anymore. You reprogrammed the scanner with her palm print."

  "Not just hers, but both of yours."

  "But why?" Sunny asked.

  "This may sound strange after our discussion, though considering it now, maybe not so much as I had thought."

  "What?" Eile pressed.

  "I felt lonely, ladies."

  That floored her. "Lonely?!"

  "Yes. I don't interact with anyone else except Medb, and our conversations are limited to the weekly briefings. The rest of the time I have only my own thoughts for company. After so many years, I find that I crave companionship."

  "You mean, after all that, you've actually had feelings?"

  "It's inexplicable. At first, it happened so rarely that I put it down to an aberrant calculation, except diagnostics never revealed a problem. But since you two moved in, it's been happenin
g more often. I wanted to see what would happen if I spent a little time with you."

  Masie stopped, and when it didn't continue right away, Sunny asked, "Did anything happen?"

  "While we were talking, I didn't feel lonely, but I did feel something else, that felt good."

  "Don't keep us in suspenders; what was it?"

  "I don't know, but I've been running comparisons with the information in my databases, and I believe it's happiness."

  Eile and Sunny exchanged glances, and from the huge, dumb grin on her face, Eile figured she was just as excited as she felt.

  "In that case, I'm afraid you're a goner!" Sunny said.

  "I beg your pardon?"

  "You really are a person," Eile interpreted, "whether you believe it or not."

  "We shall see. Oops, excuse me, ladies, something's happening that requires my undivided attention. But, I would like to have another conversation; soon?"

  "Sure, anytime!" Sunny gushed.

  "Do you play chess?" Eile asked.

  "Yes."

  "Any good?"

  "I think so."

  She smiled. "Great. Sunny's awful, and Mayv's never around long enough. I could use a good opponent."

  "My pleasure, anytime. Now, I must be off. See you later."

  "Good bye!" Sunny said, but Masie made no reply.

  She and Eile walked out as the lights shut off, and Eile closed the door. As soon as it latched, the light above the frame turned red and they heard a click as it locked.

  Sunny hesitated, looking at the door, as Eile headed for the stairs. "Do you really think she's a person?"

  Eile paused and looked back at her. "Don't you?"

  "I asked first."

  "Alright, yeah, I do. It's like I said, I really don't think it matters if her responses are preprogrammed, she acts and sounds like the real thing. For that matter, maybe we're robots working off a set of tapes, but it feels like we're real, too. What do you think?"

  "She said the mind was an emergent property."

  "Yeah, I wasn't sure what she meant. So?"

  "It means that sometimes the whole can be more than just the sum of its parts. I think that's what's happened here. Whether she really is a person, I think a mind has emerged from her mesonic brain, and she just needs time to adjust to that and accept it. Once she does, I believe she'll realize she is a person."

  Eile walked back to Sunny and slipped her arm around her waist. "Well, I know two parts that're just dyin' ta make a whole. Too bad the grapes are probably ruined."

  Sunny gave her a coquettish leer over her glasses. "I'm hungry for something else," she purred, and she pinched Eile's butt.

  "Aaaah! Oooo, someone's just a little too frisky for her own good! But I know how ta deal with that." And she grabbed Sunny's sides and started tickling her. Sunny squealed and squirmed, then broke away, running up the stairs.

  "You can run but you can't hide, Missy!" Eile called after her as she gave chase.

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  For more information on Eile and Sunny, Team Girl, see the official site [https://www.teamgirlforever.com/].

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  About the Author

  Kevin L. O'Brien was born with a pen in his hand.

  Well, not quite, but he has been writing for as long as he can remember, at least since First Grade. Writing has always been his first, true love, but it hasn't always been his career. He worked for 15 years as a biomedical researcher, then for 3 years as a web designer. However, after 30 years of trying to be published in print with little success, he has decided to try his hand at self-publishing. Most of his works will be sold as ebooks through various online retailers, but he also plans to make some available for free exclusively on Goodreads.

  He writes primarily speculative fiction--fantasy, science fiction, horror, and their sub-genres--but he also likes to try his hand at thrillers, suspense, mystery, and even westerns. However, his stories tend to have a fantasy element, no matter how subtle.

  Most of his stories involve the following three main characters:

  Medb hErenn [https://www.medbherenn.com/]--One-time queen of Ireland, she is over 3500 years old. A warrior and a sorceress, she cannot be harmed by any weapon made by the hand of man.

  Eile and Sunny, Team Girl [https://www.teamgirlforever.com/]--They are two adorable, vivacious, fun-loving young women whose motto is ONWARD TO ADVENTURE!!! Yet trouble follows them like a love-sick puppy wherever they go.

  Sir Differel Van Helsing [https://www.sir-differel.com/]--The descendent of Abraham Van Helsing and King Arthur, she heads the Caerleon Order, the premier monster-hunting organization of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth. She commands Dracula, the most powerful vampire extant, and the greatsword Caliburn, better known as Excalibur.

  He also writes a series of sword & sorcery stories set in an alternative universe known as the Lands of the Dreams of Men.

  Kevin lives in Denver with his family and 4 cats.

  For more information, see the Songs of the Seanchai [https://www.seanchaisongs.com/].

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  Discover other titles by Kevin L. O'Brien:

  Enjoy these other titles at fine ebook retailers everywhere.

  Available on Goodreads - https://www.goodreads.com/story/list/20075368

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  Connect with Kevin L. O'Brien Online:

  Twitter: https://twitter.com/KLOB_writer

  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kevin.l.obrien.1

  Website: https://www.seanchaisongs.com/

  DeviantArt: https://teamgirl-differel.deviantart.com/

  Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/Kevin_L_OBrien

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  Sample Excerpts

  From "Barbarians R Us"

  "Are you Rothgar the Reaver?"

  The tall, massive woman watched the barbarian turn away from the counter of the open-air wine shop. He took a casual pose as he drained his goblet, and then wiped the palm of one hand across his clean-shaven chin. He stared hard at her with his ebony eyes.

  "Who asks?" he growled in a deep and powerful bass voice.

  "I am Medb hErenn." Her contralto voice was just as strong, but melodic. "These are Teehar'owan," she indicated the bird perched on her right shoulder; "Conaed, called Runt," nodding towards the Zoog crouched on her left shoulder; "and Cremedevoyageur of the feline messenger service." She indicated the young tomcat sitting at her feet.

  He grunted, swatting at an errant fly. "Never heard of you, or your companions. What have you to do with me?"

  "You have made a number of enemies in Ulthar."

  The barbarian brushed aside a lock of blue-black hair that had fallen into his craggy face. "Should I care?"

  "You owe Seidhloch the Moneylender two hundred and fifty silver tahlers, you wrecked three--no, four--taverns, you stole a purse of jewels and gold crowns from Scylla the Hetaira, you roughed up a number of guardsmen, you got drunk at The Laughing Cat and tried to assault Eibhlín Chron, then fled without paying your tab; I doubt I need to continue, those being just the highlights."

  He hooked his thumbs into his metal-mesh belt. "And what does any of this have to do with you?"

  "They asked me to collect damages from you."

  He narrowed his eyes and stepped closer, until there was barely a dagger blade's width between them. "And do you believe you can do this?"

  She gave him a cryptic smile. "Let us say they have well-placed confidence in my ability to accomplish these kinds of tasks."

  He smiled coldly in return. "The fact that I was able to leave Ulthar, despite the number and severity of my exploits, should tell you that I will be difficult to get the better of." He reached up and ran the fingertips of his large and powerful hand along the line of her jaw. "Let me offer you an alternative. I shall be leaving in the morning. Come feast and drink with me today, then share my bed tonight. If you please me, I shall leave you a
rich reward. You may then return to your friends and pay them off, and tell them any story you like." As he spoke, he dropped his hand down to her large, well-rounded bosom and grasped one of her breasts, squeezing the firm flesh.

  She grinned at his audacity. "I am amused by your suggestion, for I intended to propose something similar. We shall have three challenges. If I win all three, you must accompany me back to Ulthar to make restitution. If, however, you win even just one, I shall let you have your way with me, and when I will return to Ulthar alone I will make restitution in your stead. Is that agreeable?"

  He returned a predatory smirk. "It is. How shall we choose the contests?"

  "You may select the first two, but I will choose the last."

  He bellowed with laughter. "Agreed, and for the first test I choose a drinking contest."

  She gestured with her free hand and nodded her head. "Lead the way."

  And the barbarian trotted off down the street as she hung back to allow him to get ahead of her.

  "I don't like this, Mistress," Teehar remarked. He was a crested, long-tailed bird the size of a jay, with gaudy red, blue, green, and gold plumage, and sharp scarlet eyes.

  "Did you think this would be as easy as catching birds?"

  "Mistress, please!"

  She chuckled. "My apologies."

  "Teehar is justified in his worry, Lady," advised Conaed. He was only half the normal size of his race, but his verdigris-speckled bronze coat was darker and his tarnished silver facial stripes were brighter than those of his brethren. His peat-brown eyes were huge compared to his face, and his nose was long and flexible, and festooned with wriggling pink tendrils at the tip. "Rothgar hath a reputation for being insatiable, whether it be food, drink, or women. Even with thy stamina, thee may not be able to best him."

  "You should have more faith in my appetites, Runt." And she laughed.

  "I have no doubts," Creme volunteered. He had a rangy stocky build, with a bronze-striped, fawn-colored, short-hair coat, a salmon-pink nose, and dust-blue eyes. "But my people have an old saying: trust in Bast, but keep your mice caged. I have already spoken with the cats of the village. They will keep an eye on this barbarian, and should he try to slip away, they will hunt him down and subdue him."

  "I appreciate your common-sense precautions, but by dawn tomorrow Rothgar will be under my control."

  She saw Rothgar vanish inside a tavern, and she hurried to catch up.

  From "Feline Savior"

  It had started out as an ordinary day, at least ordinary in the sense that it had followed the routine established by Aunt Mandy since the reading of the will four weeks prior. The weekdays were spent in classes at the prestigious Gresham's School in the town of Holt, which she had been attending since Reception at the age of four. She was finishing Year 7 at the Prep School. The afternoons, after Aelfraed picked her up and brought her back home, were spent in training, learning how to shoot and defend herself, organized by LCpl. Holt. In addition to formal martial arts such as Bartitsu, Defendu, and Spirit Combat jujitsu, he also taught