Can a Computer be a Mind?
Can a computer be a mind? I want to first off define computer and mind. I will be using computer, for the most part, to invoke the idea of “a machine for performing calculations automatically” and I use machine in the sense of “any mechanical or electrical device that transmits or modifies energy to perform or assist in the performance of human tasks” [1][2]. I will try to address all possible interpretations of the concept of a mind in order to satisfy many possible interpretations, the interpretation of mind will be more clearly defined below, but for now feel free to interpret mind as you will. With definitions cleared up we can return to the question that has plagued the minds of computer scientists for the good part of a half century. “Can a computer be a mind?” arguments for what defines a mind will be addressed and at interpretation an argument will be made if a computer can prove itself to be a mind with that given definition.
Often when discussing a mind the idea of
intelligence comes out. Intelligence is defined as the capacity for learning,
reasoning, and understanding[3].
However, human interpretation of intelligence has changed over the years and so
I will address the evolution of intelligence and it will be made clear that as
computers begin to enter the threshold of intelligence we keep moving the
metaphorical goal post of what qualifies as intelligence.
Long ago before “a machine for performing
calculations automatically” –called a computer—was created computer meant “an
expert at calculation” –like a human[4].
Humans who performed various mathematics were considered intelligent and
computers. In 1936 the Z1 Computer was created and was capable of performing
various mathematical calculations. Was it ever considered intelligent? In all
my research I found not a single article praising the creation of a higher
system or acknowledgement by some nation that the Z1 computer had human rights
and should not be subjected to do so much work. Perhaps because the Z1 was only
capable of 22 bit floating point math with simple operations. My TI-89 can
solve areas under the curve, solve roots, and other various math problems, and
I have never once been arrested for abusing another fellow intelligent being.
If I cage another human being and force them to do math I get arrested, but
this doesn’t apply with my calculator.
Clearly math was too easy a test. After all it’s
nothing more than simple repetitive mindless tasks. At some point it was
decided that chess was a sign of intelligence. It seemed like a solid test,
your average Majid Alnouri can do simple 1+1 math but can’t solve his way out
of a chess problem. Thus, chess became a test of intelligence since chess
players are considered intelligent by their fellow humans. While highly controversial,
the IBM Deep Blue computer eventually beat Gary Kasprov –a chess Grand Master
considered by many as the best player in the world[5][6].
However computer-human intelligence equality was still not achieved. While the
match may have been controversial, today people are successfully using phones
to beat Master and Grandmaster chess players[7]. By
today’s standards computers have to be considered intelligent as they have entered
nearly every human domain available. The next goal post hasn’t been defined yet
(I bet people are too scared and have realized how simple we are) but when it
is history has shown technology is more than ready to make it there.
Creativity is sometimes brought up with
intelligence. People argue intelligence is one think but computers can be
creative and therefore there is a function of the brain and or mind that
computers cannot replicate. Yet, we have developed systems that create music[8]
and paint[9] and
to me those are creative feats, so to say computers are not creative would be
wrong. It is universally accept that art requires creativity[10].
Is there no function a brain and or mind can perform that a computer can’t do?
Alan Turing, one of the greatest computer scientists
purposed a solid definitive test for intelligence that was about being human
–the Turing test[11].
The famous test involves an interviewer and two hidden candidates that are
interviewed. The interviewer must determine who is a computer through a series
of chat conversations. The Turing test is somewhat controversial and in my
opinion pointless. The test is not about intelligence but deceit. How can I
trick the interviewer or convince him I am human? Some systems introduced
simply stated computer jokes like “Out of memory cannot compute”, “need more
ram”, and so on[12].
The idea being that an interviewer might think he or she is joking around with
a human. Some say that is intelligence, but I would fight and say conversing
does not mean you are intelligent. I could be a hermit who solves problems from
his basement and considered intelligent by my peers but I would never have to
converse for people to know I am intelligent. Besides there is too much
variance in the process: the interviewer is biased and under what authority are
a group of people allowed to say “this system is intelligent?” I didn’t vote to
make deem it intelligent. If a bot can fool a person who never conversed before
what right does he have to bestow the title of intelligence to them? Apart from
my personal reasoning, the Chinese room thought experiment by John Searle is a
good counter case for the Turing Test[13].
Back to the original query: “can a computer be a
mind?” Any definition of mind that references intelligence such as: “intellect
or understanding, as distinguished from the faculties of feeling and willing;
intelligence” have been removed as computers have been able to beat humans on
nearly every front in the battle for intelligence[14].
However, another definition of a mind is “(in
a human or other conscious being)
the element, part, substance, or process that reasons, thinks, feels, wills, perceives,
judges, etc.”
that definition is tightly coupled to the notion of living beings and even
specifies that. If we allowed the removal of the first clause (that this definition
applies to human or other conscious being) then we have something interesting.
The mind in this sense is interpreted as driving force that “reasons, thinks,
feels, wills, perceives, judges, etc.” What does it mean to think? Thinking has
been defined as: “to have a conscious mind, to some extent of reasoning,
remembering experiences, making rational decisions, etc.” While there are other
definitions this was covers the other definitions and interestingly enough
there was a definition of think that was not so helpful “(of a device or
machine, especially a computer) to use artificial intelligence to perform an
activity analogous to human thought”[15].
Sticking with the original definition, we can all agree computers are more than
capable of memory recall, reasoning, and rationalizing decisions. So what is
left? I say nothing. Now this brings up a very serious religious and spiritual issue
of free will. After all, if we can make a computer that is like us in every way,
does not suggest we are determinist and thus have no free will? I am not going
to answer that here because that is a consequence that is outside of my initial
query. Consequences should not obscure the truth, no matter how gloom it may be.
People often say conscious is where
the mind dwells. Neuroscience is still relatively young and we have been table
to point to a set of neurons and say “those are your conscience”[16][17][18].
The conscience is also loosely defined and the functions are not clearly
outlined. Major breakthroughs have been made in the last couple of decades with
technological advancements in brain mapping and monitoring brain activities. I
chose not fight on this shaky ground as at any point it could sway either way.
Scientists have been able to replicate false memories in mice, and it’s only a
matter of time before the entire brain is mapped out and regional functions are
found[19][20].
I would revisit this once neuroscience (one of which is consciousness) and
cogitative science have solved their problems[21][22].
Some people will also suggest the
existence of a soul or some non-physical system and say that is the mind. Such
a system is difficult to prove and subject to different philosophies and
religions. However, I will entertain the idea. What if we have a soul and that
is the mind? I would first need to see evidence of a soul and until so I will
continue to live as though it does not exist. If a soul were proven to be true
then my argument might change, but only after the function was clearly defined
and it was proven to exist. It is not a matter of belief but knowledge.
I think a computer can be a mind. I
have outlined my definition of a mind and given various examples of computers
doing human-like problems, tasks, or functions. I acknowledge there are some
unknowns currently existing that could disproof my stance, but first they must
verified and proven before we even consider them in this discussion. I have
outlined an argument on known human knowledge and touched on the edge of the
unknown.
[1]
http://wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn?s=computer&sub=Search+WordNet&o2=&o0=1&o8=1&o1=1&o7=&o5=&o9=&o6=&o3=&o4=&h=
[2]
http://wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn?s=machine&sub=Search+WordNet&o2=&o0=1&o8=1&o1=1&o7=&o5=&o9=&o6=&o3=&o4=&h=00
[3]
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/intelligence
[4]
http://wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn?s=computer&sub=Search+WordNet&o2=&o0=1&o8=1&o1=1&o7=&o5=&o9=&o6=&o3=&o4=&h=
[5]
http://listverse.com/2009/09/06/top-10-greatest-chess-players-in-history/
[6]
http://www.theguardian.com/news/2008/jan/19/mainsection.obituaries
[7] Crowther, Mark (11 August 2008).
"THE WEEK IN CHESS 718". TWIC. London Chess Centre. Retrieved 15
August 2012. "The Copa Mercosur took place 29th July – 7th August 2008.
Pocket Fritz 3 won the event with 8/10."
[8]
http://www.ccsr.uiuc.edu/web/Techreports/1990-94/CCSR-91-20.pdf
[9]
http://bengrosser.com/projects/interactive-robotic-painting-machine/
[10]
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/art
[11]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turing_test
[12]
http://www.radiolab.org/blogs/radiolab-blog/2012/mar/19/turing-problem/
[13] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_room
[14]
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/mind
[15]
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/thinks
[16] Libet
B, Freeman A and Sutherland K (eds). The Volitional Brain: Towards a
Neuroscience of Free Will. Imprint Academic. Thorverton. 2000
[17] AC
Grayling. "Do We Have a Veto?" Times Literary Supplement.
2000; 5076 (14 July): 4
[18]Batthyany,
Alexander: Mental Causation and Free Will after Libet and Soon: Reclaiming
Conscious Agency. In Batthyany und Avshalom Elitzur. Irreducibly Conscious.
Selected Papers on Consciousness, Universitätsverlag Winter Heidelberg 2009,
p.135ff
[19]
http://www.technologyreview.com/news/517226/scientists-make-mice-remember-things-that-didnt-happen/
[20]
http://www.popularmechanics.com/science/health/nueroscience/mapping-the-brain-in-unprecedented-detail-15727629
[21]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_unsolved_problems_in_neuroscience
[22]
http://www.academia.edu/377807/Advanced_Issues_in_Cognitive_Science_and_Semiotics
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