Comments for Minds, Machines & Persons

Comment on The Chinese Room Argument vs. the Brain Simulator Reply by Kyle

Kyle — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 09:59:01 +0000

I don’t think Searle’s argument stands up to the Brain Simulator reply at all. In fact, I think it crumbles in the face of this reply unless he holds that a mind can exist independently of any physical existence, and is NOT necessarily an emergence resulting directly from something physical (which, to me, lies in the realm of speculation). Assuming that the brain is necessary for the “mind,” an interesting question is raised.

At what point does a simulation become ‘the real thing’?

To quote the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy: “Are artificial hearts simulations of hearts? Or are they functional duplicates of hearts, hearts made from different materials? Walking is a biological phenomenon performed using limbs. Do those with artificial limbs walk? Or do they simulate walking?”

Comment on Moral Robot soldiers: A daring possibility by Bonni Rambatan

Bonni Rambatan — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 02:22:58 +0000

I think the main challenge in battle robots would be how their death would live up to the necessary spectacle of what hitherto been human death constitutive in wars — its obscene underside, its jouissance. So, emotions would have to play a large part to keep all the tragedies and melancholy intact, even all the traumas, etc. Otherwise, trying to fight wars with cold, emotionless robots would be like trying to solve the war with a sports tournament. Real deaths and traumatic memories would effectively have to be recreated if we are to fight wars with robots instead of humans.

Comment on Are animals conscious? by hewillhaveyou

hewillhaveyou — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 20:52:54 +0000

Animals have just as much conscoiusness as humans. However it works a little bit differently.
Their fears are triggered by other things than those of humans. For an animal the fear of the, for them, unknown is the most dominant. They have little fear of getting hurt, but know when they should retreat.
The human fear of pain just proves that humanitys greatest strength is the brain, not the soul or physical abilities.
-hewillhaveyou

Comment on Animal Consciousness by anonagogo

anonagogo — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 21:55:27 +0000

I would like to submit that animals are not conscious in the way humans are (because they exist in the present moment without any awareness of time). However, they are extremely sentient, to a much higher degree than humans, because their survival depends on every sense – sight, sound, hearing, scent – being open and active every second of their lives. If this is not the case, they will not survive. I would suggest that rather than conscious, they should be described as ’supersentient’.

On the second point, how humans should treat them, I think we should adopt the precautionaty principle, i.e. we don’t know if they feel pain, but we should assume they do, and ensure they do not suffer unnecessarily. As Jeremy Bentham said, “The question is not can they talk, or can they think, but can they suffer?”

Comment on Moral Robot soldiers: A daring possibility by Chris M. Ferguson

Chris M. Ferguson — Thu, 29 May 2008 19:30:34 +0000

Just because we can erase a robot’s memories, doesn’t mean we should. If we create life, then we have a moral responsibility to take care of it. No matter how many bolts and cogs are in it’s arse.

Comment on Weekly Assignments (1, old, did before due date) by davindo

davindo — Thu, 15 May 2008 12:11:49 +0000

good observation

Comment on Thoughts on Animal Consciousness by davindo

davindo — Thu, 15 May 2008 12:06:52 +0000

Do you think intelligence is a good measure of consciousness? Are we as humans any less conscious if at a point in our lives, we are less intelligent?

Also I don’t really understand why our biological sophistication, is an important indicator of consciousness. What exactly does this mean?

Comment on Emotions II by davindo

davindo — Thu, 15 May 2008 12:01:50 +0000

do you think it would count as a revolution if we simply removed some of the human emotions that seem counterproductive like rage? Are there any emotions you can think of, that hinder your ability for growth that could be “evolved”?

Comment on by davindo

davindo — Thu, 15 May 2008 11:58:58 +0000

I think what you said about emotions is interesting and it seems true.

Do you think its necessary for a robot to have an inner emotions for them to have a self-identity that is unique?

Comment on relations with robots by davindo

davindo — Thu, 15 May 2008 11:54:39 +0000

Do you really think that the complexity of emotions really indicate a level of intelligence? If someone is more complex and has many layers, doesn’t that just mean they’re hard to figure out?

Also why do you say we cannot form interpersonal relationships with robots? Do you believe that they are not capable of interacting, or maybe that the interaction is in somehow fake or less than a normal human to human interaciton?