Re: Standard definition

From: Grant Callaghan (grantc4@hotmail.com)
Date: Sun 03 Nov 2002 - 22:33:15 GMT

  • Next message: joedees@bellsouth.net: "Re: Standard definition"

    >>If we came upon a computer and couldn't access its insides without
    >>destroying it, could you prove that a program was running it?
    >
    >But, of course, this collection of pieces we now have is not the computer.
    >And yes, it is a simple process to identify the program running in an
    >intact computer, or the fact there is no program running.
    >
    >By analyzing its performance....
    >
    If it's such a simple process, why don't you tell us exactly how you would do it? If it is running, what is running it?

    I beg to differ on the idea that the human body is not a computer. Each cell in our body carries out a program contained in the DNA of that cell. The brain itself is organized to handle incoming information based on the structure of the body and the brain. Where do you draw the line between what is a program and what is not?

    You refuse to agree that analysis of the human performance proves there is anything we can call a mind but would easily accept that you could do such a thing with an equally complex performance by a machine that you know nothing about the internal workings of. I don't buy it. The only reason you know about algorythms is because of what you do know about computers. But suppose we sent something like IBM's chess playing machine back in time a century or two and put it up against someone like Capablanca. Would he be able to deduce just by the moves it made that he was playing against a machine? I suspect he wouldn't.

    Grant

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