Position Paper #5: Can Computers Think?

For this position paper, I would like you to evaluate the following hypothetical debate.

Pro: If something behaves in all relevant ways as if it were cognitive, then it is cognitive. Con: What do you mean by "being cognitive"? Pro: I mean that it can perceive (see, hear, etc.); has beliefs, desires, and intentions; can remember; can use and understand natural language; can reason and make rational decisions; etc. You know, the sort of thing that AI researchers are trying to achieve by computational means. Con: Do you think they will succeed? Pro: I'm optimistic: I think that a suitable AI program (or maybe a suite of programs) will eventually behave in all these ways. Con: But that means that you think that such an AI program will be cognitive? Pro: Yes. Con: But that's crazy! Computer programs are purely syntactic! Pro: Now it's my turn to ask for clarification: What do you mean by "syntactic"? Con:: I mean that all it can do is to manipulate the symbols of a formal symbol system. Pro:: So what's the problem? Con:: The problem is that cognition is semantic! That is, it involves the semantic interpretation of those symbols. Pro:: Well, I'm not so sure about that. But suppose you're right. What then? Con: Well, syntax does not suffice for semantics. So, no purely syntactic computer program can exhibit semantic cognition, even if it behaves in all relevant ways as if it were cognitive.

• It may help if you rewrite Pro's and Con's arguments in terms of premises and conclusions, and then evaluate those arguments.

• Your position paper should be approximately 

  1-2 typed pages, double-spaced (i.e., about 250-500 words), and single-sided.

• Please bring 5 copies to class on the due date.

• This paper only needs the title "Position Paper #5", your name, the date, and the course number (410, 498, or 510) at the top of the page.

• For general assistance with writing (including my preferred method of paper preparation and format, as well as advice on grammar), see my website "How to Write".

• For general guidelines on how to evaluate an argument, see the newsgroup posting in "Subject: POSITION PAPER 2 -- ANALYSIS & GRADING" or the website "Critical Thinking Core Concepts" (also see its table of contents).

  DUE AT THE BEGINNING OF LECTURE, TUESDAY, APRIL 20