[andrewflnr]

The nature of the problem compels epistemological nihilism. I try to be a good empiricist, but some things are not measurable, and there is no moral authority over the universe that entitles us to access all possible truth.

> If we understood conscious experience well enough to capture and replay it so closely that the person who had the experience could verify it, then almost no one would care about the hard problem.

Practically speaking, though, perhaps this is correct.

[slibhb]

I think you're ultimately right that my hypothetical device wouldn't solve the hard problem. And that there is a link between throughgoing empiricism and epistemological nihilism.

I'd compare to physics today. We're less interested in why the laws of physics exist now that we have pretty good theories with solid predictive power. Nevertheless, the mystery remains.

I appreciate the dialogue!