Computational Complexity and Philosophical Dualism
ABSTRACT: I examine some recent controversies involving the possibility of mechanical simulation of mathematical intuition. The first part is concerned with a presentation of the Lucas-Penrose position and recapitulates some basic logical conceptual machinery (Gödel's proof, Hilbert's Tenth Problem and Turing's Halting Problem). The second part is devoted to a presentation of the main outlines of Complexity Theory as well as to the introduction of Bremermann's notion of transcomputability and fundamental limit. The third part attempts to draw a connection/relationship between Complexity Theory and undecidability focusing on a new revised version of the Lucas-Penrose position in light of physical a priori limitations of computing machines. Finally, the last part derives some epistemological/philosophical implications of the relationship between Gödel's incompleteness theorem and Complexity Theory for the mind/brain problem in Artificial Intelligence and discusses the compatibility of functionalism with a materialist theory of the mind.
This paper purports to re-examine the Lucas-Penrose argument against Artificial Intelligence in the light of Complexity Theory. Arguments against strong AI based on some philosophical consequences derived from an interpretation of Gödel's proof have been around for many years since their initial formulation by Lucas (1961) and their recent revival by Penrose (1989,1994). For one thing, Penrose is right in sustaining that mental activity cannot be modeled as a Turing Machine. However, such a view does not have to follow from the uncomputable nature of some human cognitive capabilities such as mathematical intuition. In what follows I intend to show that even if mathematical intuition were mechanizable (as part of a conception of mental activity understood as the realization of an algorithm) the Turing Machine model of the human mind becomes self-refuting.
Our contention will start from the notion of transcomputability. Such a notion will allow us to draw a pathway between formal and physical limitations of symbol-based artificial intelligence by bridging up computational complexity and undecidability. Furthermore, linking complexity and undecidability will reveal that functionalism is incompatible with a materialist theory of the mind and that adherents of functionalism have systematically overlooked implementational issues.
1 - The Lucas-Penrose argument — Lucas-Penrose argument runs as follows: Gödel's incompleteness theorem shows that computational systems are limited in a way that humans are not. In any consistent formal system powerful enough to do a certain sort of arithmetic there will be a true sentence — a Gödel sentence (G) — that the system cannot prove.
...s be conscious of our familiarity): endogamy, affirmative action, white supremacy, and the ethics concerning the above. Regarding endogamy: does a black man have an obligation to marry a black woman strictly for the purpose of preventing & encouraging unity against white supremacy? Are we too concerned with our individual goals that we abandon communal objectives by denouncing affirmative action and failing to realize the community effect this has on our educational freedoms? To Taylor, these are not individual attacks or insults, but rather carefully constructed racial patterns and habits. (p. 176). From my view, while these issues may not always seem personal or of interest to specific individuals, Taylor emphasizes the importance of cohesive societal awareness.
In this paper I will evaluate and present A.M. Turing’s test for machine intelligence and describe how the test works. I will explain how the Turing test is a good way to answer if machines can think. I will also discuss Objection (4) the argument from Consciousness and Objection (6) Lady Lovelace’s Objection and how Turing responded to both of the objections. And lastly, I will give my opinion on about the Turing test and if the test is a good way to answer if a machine can think.
The purpose of this paper is to present John Searle’s Chinese room argument in which it challenges the notions of the computational paradigm, specifically the ability of intentionality. Then I will outline two of the commentaries following, the first by Bruce Bridgeman, which is in opposition to Searle and uses the super robot to exemplify his point. Then I will discuss John Eccles’ response, which entails a general agreement with Searle with a few objections to definitions and comparisons. My own argument will take a minimalist computational approach delineating understanding and its importance to the concepts of the computational paradigm.
John Searle’s Chinese room argument from his work “Minds, Brains, and Programs” was a thought experiment against the premises of strong Artificial Intelligence (AI). The premises of conclude that something is of the strong AI nature if it can understand and it can explain how human understanding works. I will argue that the Chinese room argument successfully disproves the conclusion of strong AI, however, it does not provide an explanation of what understanding is which becomes problematic when creating a distinction between humans and machines.
The first and most likely the greatest reason people stayed and thrived in the German Empire was because of its rapid industrialization. Trailing the rest of the world in industry and technology it was not until the mid-1800s that Germany finally started to industrialize, but it was not until the creation German Empire that there was full-fledged industrialization (SJSU). Part of the reason that allowed Germany to in...
Since the introduction of electronic cigarettes to the U.S. market in 2007, the use and the regulations governing the product has been a topic of debate. Because the electronic cigarette does not contain tobacco, it is currently not regulated by the FDA. The device essentially allows the consumers to inhale nicotine, in the form of vapor, and satisfy the sensations associated with the habit of smoking without taking in tobacco. Although the market for electronic cigarettes is steadily growing, much opposition still exists against the product because the possible side effects and adverse symptoms are not completely known. Also, because of increasing media portrayal of electronic cigarettes as trendy and because of the lack of regulation governing these devices, many people are concerned that electronic cigarettes will have a greater appeal towards young children, leading to nicotine addiction. In addition, although it was suggested that electronic cigarettes could be used as a treatment method for smoking cessation, the devices were initially thought to merely switch the addiction from cigarettes to the electronic versions – whose potential dangers have not yet been dismissed. However, recent studies that have been done on electronic cigarettes have suggested that the devices have a promising capability capacity to be used as a treatment method for smoking cessation. Randomized controlled experiments have been conducted to show that use of electronic cigarettes does, in fact, increase smoking reduction and abstinence. Comparing the effects of this device with those of other products already in use in nicotine replacement therapy has further supported the electronic cigarettes’ potential successfulness in treatment for smoking cessa...
Thesis statement: Research suggest that electronic cigarettes, while less harmful than conventional cigarettes, have significant health risk and safety concerns.
A growing trend in the United States is the use of an electronic cigarette as an alternative to regular cigarettes. An electronic cigarette burns a liquid solution containing a controlled percentage of nicotine with no carcinogens, and this provides the user with smoke that is actually vapor. According to Allen Mask M.D. (2014), “Sales of electronic cigarettes have boomed from $500 million in 2012 to $1.5 billion in 2013” (Mask, 2014). The growth of sales in electronic cigarettes over the years is because it is being marketed as a healthier alternative, and more stores are opening to help assist others on selling as well as fixing their devices. The reason why electronic cigarettes are a healthier alternative than regular cigarettes is that cigarettes are the leading causes of preventable death in America, because electronic cigarettes produce vapor not smoke, and it has helped people quit.
If a machine passes the test, then it is clear that for many ordinary people it would be a sufficient reason to say that that is a thinking machine. And, in fact, since it is able to conversate with a human and to actually fool him and convince him that the machine is human, this would seem t...
To commence, functionalists are preoccupied with making mental states distinct, partly on the basis of causal relations to other mental states. Functionalism involves the conviction that psychological or mental terms can be done away to a certain extent. Functionalists treat terms related to mental states as functional characterizations which differ from input and output terms. Therefore, when the theory is broken down, mental states are associated with the states of the Turing-machine, which on its own is defined as a machine table that mentions inputs and outputs that are not explored in the mind (Block, pg. 212). Additionally, functionalism empathizes that characterization of mental states ought to include descriptions of inputs and outputs in both it...
Polosa, Riccardo, et al. "A Fresh Look at Tobacco Harm Reduction: The Case for the Electronic Cigarette." Harm Reduction Journal 10.1 (2013): 1-11. Academic Search Complete. Web. 2 Nov. 2013.
In this essay, I describe in detail a hypothetical test contemporarily known as the Turing test along with it’s respective objective. In addition, I examine a distinguished objection to the test, and Turing’s consequential response to it.
In the first three chapters of Kinds of Minds, Dennett introduces a variety of perspectives on what the mind is. From Cartesianism to Functionalism, Dennett outlines the evolution of thought about thought and the mind and explains his own perspective along the way. Cartesianism, as proposed by Descartes, proposes that the mind is who we are and characterizes the mind as a non physical substance that was completely separate from, and in control of, the physical body. In the strictest sense, Functionalism can be defined from Alan Turing’s perspective that a mind can be defined by what it can do. So from the Turing test, if an AI can fool a human into thinking it is also human, it must be at least as intelligent as the human. Using a plethora of anecdotes and examples, Dennett makes his position clear as he denounces Cartesianism and advocates for a functionalist based perspective in his own evolving definition of the mind.
Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) are battery operated heating devices that work by turning nicotine into vapor that is inhaled to emulate smoking tobacco but without the harsh toxic chemicals attributed with smoking cigarettes. The liquid nicotine substance inserted in the e-cigarettes is primarily a solution of water, propylene glycol, glycerin, and small amounts of flavoring, available with or without nicotine that is vaporized by an internal heater (Popova 924). Furthermore, the amount of nicotine can be adjusted from nicotine free to extra strength. This allows users to control their amount of nicotine with the most promising option to be nicotine free or detached from the tobacco imitating device. E-cigarettes can be practically taken anywhere. Most are designed to resemble the typical cigarette and others may appear in a pen-like shape. Not to mention, the cost of e-cigarettes are relatively low compared to buying tobacco products. Given these points, e-cigarettes is a better solution to the discontinuance of smoking tobacco because it does not contain toxic chemicals associated with the smoke from cigarettes, it is a more affordable, and permits its users to control their nicotine intake to eventually curb the nicotine
Crevier, D. (1999). AI: The tumultuous history of the search for Artificial Intelligence. Basic Books: New York.