Could a computer have a mind? What kind of machine would this be? Exactly what do we mean by 'mind' anyway?The notion of the 'intelligent' machine, whilst continuing to feature in numerous entertaining and frightening fictions, has also been the focus of a serious and dedicated research tradition. Reflecting on these fictions, and on the research tradition that pursues 'Artificial Intelligence', raises a number of vexing philosophical issues. Minds and Computers introduces readers to these issues by offering an engaging, coherent, and highly approachable interdisciplinary introduction to the Philosophy of Artificial Intelligence.Readers are presented with introductory material from each of the disciplines which constitute Cognitive Science: Philosophy, Neuroscience, Psychology, Computer Science, and Linguistics. Throughout, readers are encouraged to consider the implications of this disparate and wide-ranging material for the possibility of developing machines with minds. And they can expect to de
The institutionalization of History and Philosophy of Science as a distinct field of scholarly endeavour began comparatively early - though not always under that name - in the Australasian region. An initial lecturing appointment was made at the University of Melbourne imme diately after the Second World War, in 1946, and other appointments followed as the subject underwent an expansion during the 1950s and 1960s similar to that which took place in other parts of the world. Today there are major Departments at the University of Melbourne, the University of New South Wales and the University of Wollongong, and smaller groups active in many other parts of Australia and in New Zealand. "Australasian Studies in History and Philosophy of Science" aims to provide a distinctive publication outlet for Australian and New Zealand scholars working in the general area of history, philosophy and social studies of science. Each volume comprises a group of essays on a connected theme, edited by an Australian or a New Zealander with special expertise in that particular area. Papers address general issues, however, rather than local ones; parochial topics are avoided. Further more, though in each volume a majority of the contributors is from Australia or New Zealand, contributions from elsewhere are by no means ruled out. Quite the reverse, in fact - they are actively encour aged wherever appropriate to the balance of the volume in question.
An important collection of studies providing a fresh and original perspective on the nature of mind, including thoughtful and detailed arguments that explain why the prevailing paradigm - the computational conception of language and mentality - can no longer be sustained. An alternative approach is advanced, inspired by the work of Charles S. Peirce, according to which minds are sign-using (or `semiotic') systems, which in turn generates distinctions between different kinds of minds and overcomes problems that burden more familiar alternatives. Unlike conceptions of minds as machines, this novel approach has obvious evolutionary implications, where differences in semiotic abilities tend to distinguish the species. From this point of view, the scope and limits of computer and AI systems can be more adequately appraised and alternative accounts of consciousness and cognition can be more thoroughly criticised. Readership: Intermediate and advanced students of computer science, AI, cognitive science, and all students of the philosophy of the mind.
This work represents Dr. Jaki's rebuttal of contemporary claims about the existence of, or possibility for, man-made minds. His method includes a meticulously documtned survey of computer development, a review of the relevant results of brain research, and an evaluation of the accomplishments of physicalist schools in psychology, symbolic logic, and linguistics.
This is Philosophy of Mind presents students of philosophy with an accessible introduction to the core issues related to the philosophy of mind. Includes issues related to the mind-body problem, artificial intelligence, free will, the nature of consciousness, and more Written to be accessible to philosophy students early in their studies Features supplemental online resources on www.thisisphilosophy.com and a frequently updated companion blog, at http://tipom.blogspot.com
An exercise in Open Philosophy -- a worldview open to the full range of human experience including science, spirituality and traditional philosophy. Naturalism is exposed as a closed, a priori worldview. God is not an alternative to, but the completion of, scientific explanation. The foundations and data of evolution do not show randomness, but Mind in nature. Evolution aims at verifiable targets and develops means in advance of need. While God is proven deductively, the fine-tuning argument makes a strong case despite the anthropic principle. The rules of evidence are discussed critically before reviewing data on mind ranging from neuroscience, connectionism, & cybernetics to introspection, parapsychology, near death experiences & mysticism -- even I-Thou relationships. Current theories are inadequate to important data points. Traditional philosophy suggests a single substance, two-subsystem theory integrating a data processing brain and an intentional, immaterial soul to solve the mind-body problem.
About this book: This book is about a man whose name is Kelly who have been have dreams or nightmares about something that may have happened in his life so he begins to try and find out if any portion of his dreams are true. He starts talking to some of his co-workers to see if they have been having any weird dreams of their own. Kelly find’s out that Sara, his friend has been having strange dreams also and they both start their investigation of who is responsible and how to stop them.
"Lively, lucid, provocative, and stimulating."--Noam Chomsky, Massachusetts Institute of Technology. In these crisp and elegant review essays, written over the past twenty years for nonspecialized publications, McGinn explores biography, particularly of Russell and Wittgenstein; philosophy of mind, especially consciousness; and ethics, with an emphasis on applied ethics.
I'm Professor Jay Tee, professional hypnosis comedy entertainer and online hypnotherapist. I always wanted to find THAT BOOK. You know, the one that: -Tells everything about hypnosis, good and bad -Explains how hypnosis works, and why it sometimes doesn't! -Teaches secrets, tips and tricks understood by professionals -Isn't buried behind fancy-sounding words that hide the simple truths behind hypnosis -Is clear enough to allow any intelligent person to understand and use hypnosis Unfortunately, I never found that book. So, I decided to write it for you, and here it is!
Six essays by artificial intelligence pioneer Marvin Minsky on how education can foster inventiveness, paired with commentary by Minsky's former colleagues and students. Marvin Minsky was a pioneering researcher in artificial intelligence whose work led to both theoretical and practical advances. His work was motivated not only by technological advancement but also by the desire to understand the workings of our own minds. Minsky's insights about the mind provide fresh perspectives on education and how children learn. This book collects for the first time six essays by Minsky on children, learning, and the potential of computers in school to enrich children's development. In these essays Minsky discusses the shortcomings of conventional education (particularly in mathematics) and considers alternative approaches; reflects on the role of mentors; describes higher-level strategies for thinking across domains; and suggests projects for children to pursue. Each essay is paired with commentary by one of Minsky's former colleagues or students, which identifies Minsky's key ideas and connects his writings to current research. Minsky once observed that in traditional teaching, “instead of promoting inventiveness, we focus on preventing mistakes.” These essays offer Minsky's unique insights into how education can foster inventiveness. Commentary by Hal Abelson, Walter Bender, Alan Kay, Margaret Minsky, Brian Silverman, Gary Stager, Mike Travers, Patrick Henry Winston