[andsoitis]

> but a true simulation containing a consciousness does produce consciousness

that logic is circular. If you need consciousness ("containing a consciousness") in order to produce consciousness, it begs the question where the consciousness comes from.

[swid]

You don’t need consciousness to produce it though. The universe is not conscious, but the rules of how it works allows for them. I believe the universe is essentially computable, and therefore Turing machines can also support consciousness. There would be some class of algorithms we can run which simulate enough of reality for entities within the program to feel alive.