Can Computers Understand?

Title	Can Computers Understand?
# of Words	380
# of Pages (250 words per page double spaced)	1.52

Can Computers understand?

Can Computers understand?

        1) Thinking is the hallmark of understanding.
        2) Only special machines can think.
        3) If something can think it can understand.
        4) Only special machines that can think can understand.
        5) "Mental" states and their resulting actions are products of the
               center of activity (brain).
        6) To understand, thoughts must be produced by the brain.
        7) A computer's mental states and events are controlled by a program.
        8) The program is not a product of the computer.
        9) A computer does not produce "thoughts" in its brain.
        10) A computer cannot understand.

        John Searle addresses the point of the ability of Artificial
Intelligence (AI) to understand, in Mind Brains, and Programs.  His main
argument is that because AI's are computers and computers have no thoughts of
their own, they cannot understand.  Any actions being performed to simulate
behavior are confined by the programs available to the computer.  He presents
the example of a man linking Chinese characters and appearing to know the
language, but in reality the man is just following the instructions g...This is ONLY a preview of the article. If you would like to view the entire document, you must subscribe to Electronic References. Please register below now!

Get This Full Article After Registration

When you subscribe to Electronic References, you get complete access to the meta-collection of full text articles and papers written by researchers and students spanning the last 5 years. For $19.95 a month, you will receive unlimited access and the ability to expand your research opportunities and knowledge.
This subscription package includes:

24-hours-a-day, 7 days a week unlimited access on any computer with Internet access

Complete access to all 60,000 articles, essays, and research papers

Ability to view, save, print and download any document you find

Ability to browse through perfectly arranged catalog of articles

Superior search and relevancy ranking techniques using our optimalized search engine

Instant access to the online database after registration

You can pay by credit card or checking account. You get instant access after registration:

1 Month ($ 19.95)

3 Months ($ 29.95)

6 Months ($ 39.95)

You will be billed $19.95 every 30 days or $29.95 every 90 days (recurring billing) starting on the day you subscribe.
Your credit card or checking account will automatically be renewed for your convenience until you cancel.

Home | Register | Login | Logout | Privacy Policy | Disclaimer | Help | FAQ | Contact Us | Cancel Subscription
Copyright 1998-2007 Electronic References. Electronic References is designed only to assist students and researchers in the preparation of their own work. Anybody who use our services are responsible not only for writing their own papers, but also for citing Electronic References as a source when doing so. By accessing and using this page you agree to the Disclaimer.