A S L 3 Lecture Notes - Lecture 6: Classical Conditioning, Telepathy, Human Computer
Document Summary
New question draws sharp line between physical and intellectual capacities for man (because in the game, x and y are not seen or heard by c) Limitation on kind of engineering technique used in the machine to only digital computers. Digital computers = discrete state machines: means that the input signals can be used to predict all future states. Digital computers can mimic any discrete state machine thus called universal machines. Objections to the idea that machines may eventually be spoken of as thinking". Theological objection: thinking as a function of man"s immortal soul only humans have an immortal soul, so therefore no other animal or machine can think. But could god the almighty not confer a soul on an elephant if he sees fit?". Could also argue theologically that by creating a machine we are not usurping his power of creating souls, merely providing mansions for the souls that he creates not unlike in the procreation of children.
