Your computers mind

[richndanapoint]

Can a computer or a machine have a mind to think? I think that a computer cannot be considered to have a mind or to be able to think; For according to Oxford philosophical dictionary, mind is defined by being able to feel, desire, will and reason; A computer cannot feel, desire or will to any degree. So, computers cannot have a mind in the full literary meaning; Speaking about a reasoning, reasoning includes comparing the data/or experience, making conclusions, inferences etc. Computers do not compare, make conclusion or inferences - computers are preprogrammed base of options; so, one step causes the other/ or the one option presupposes the definite preprogrammed step or result;(though it seems that we can consider that as kind of deductive reasoning or making inferences)

From the materialist perspective (in which I don't believe in materialism) it is theorized that the human brain is nothing but chemicals and nerve processes. I think that can be manipulated in the artificial brain of a computer. On the contrary I do agree that the computer cannot attain a certain awareness of the self that one with a mind can only acquire.

[Zoni]

a computer would need a certain ability to randomize in orderer to become intelligent.

Trust me, I've tried.

[Ben Woodruff]

This is my computer's mind

[Derek‽]

It is possible for a computer to design what can be described as a personality based on the algorithms it uses to create conclusions and perhaps even fix it's own problems.

But that's as far as it could go.

[MarvinRules]

bwoodruff said:

This is my computer's mind

No following the human -> computer analogy that would be the brain! The Mind would be software...

[Ben Woodruff]

marvinrules said:

bwoodruff said:

This is my computer's mind

No following the human -> computer analogy that would be the brain! The Mind would be software...

I wish I could over clock my brain. That'd be hot.

And the OS would be the mind, the software would be thoughts, the documents would be memories.

[daniel]

My computer is not self aware, it has no 'mind' per se, as it cannot think, only execute.

My own belief is that we will see the rise of actual AI to some extent within this century. Here's how I think it will develop:

* We create a computer that simulates evolution. This program is designed to do a specific function and to examine itself each cycle to find improvements. This program modifies itself to perform better each successive cycle.

* After studying the results of the above experiments, we write a more advanced program which learns more abstract concepts.

* Other scientists develop computer programs that start with a 'blank' slate and can be taught increasingly more complex things. The computer learns over time to interrelate various facts, ideas, and concepts(much like an organic mind).

* Scientists then combine the results into a computer program that learns and also cyclically evolves to become more complex.

* At this point, the computer intelligence program has the equivalent intelligence of a human three- four year old. It can learn and interrelate, but is not entirely capable of complex thought quite yet. Scientists will begin to expand the underlying framework that the program builds from, providing more memory and speed to match the trillions of neurons humans have. Then, the scientists will attempt to add robustness to the computer's understanding, adding things such as self-awareness and morality.

* The mechanical brain at this point will still be contained to a physical computer. The next step will be the release of the program into the 'wild', the program excaping or being freely released to the internet. The program now is capable of self-replication, though still under human control.

* Materials science at some point will allow a humanoid robot with fluid movement. No doubt, we will insert this new mechanical mind into a robot to perform 'tedious' tasks.

* It's not a far stretch from there to see the robotic neuronet replicate not only the cognitive programming, but also controlling full robot production. At this point, it could truly be said that the robot is accomplishing all six life processes and is for all intents and purposes a living agent in this world. Hopefully benevolent, it would work alongside humanity as co-regent of the Earth(& space by then, hopefully).

* My thinking is that ultimately, we(humanity) and they(robots/mechanical sentients) will see the benefits that each offers and merge the two. Robots will undoubtedly see the benefits of organic biological construction, whereas humans will see the improvements cybernetics offers that would take eons to replicate through biological evolution.


I know some of that sounds far fetched, but 'far' only in the terms of a couple hundred years if the current pace of computing and biology keeps up. I don't forsee any 'robot wars' or any Matrix like world where humans and sentient mechanisms fight for power. Instead, I see a world where both live in full symbiosis. This isn't a foregone conclusion, but is highly likely unless something intervenes to prevent the further development of artificial intelligence and genetic engineering.

[MarvinRules]

bwoodruff said:

I wish I could over clock my brain. That'd be hot.

And the OS would be the mind, the software would be thoughts, the documents would be memories.

OS is considered software... Sort of... LOL!