Minds, Brains and Science

Can Computers Think?

Study sheet #3 ________________________

Phl 204

(These questions are borrowed with permission from a Syllabus by Dr. Linda Farmer.)

1. What is the prevailing view of the mind-body problem in philosophy, psychology, and artificial intelligence?

2. What is ‘strong AI’? What is a major consequence of that view?

3. How does Searle propose to refute the claims of strong AI? What is and what is not involved in his refutation?

4. What is a digital computer?

5. What is the difference between formal processes (or syntactical processes) and semantic content?

6. Explain Searle’s parable of the Chinese room. What’s the point of that story?

7. What does “a computer has a syntax, but no semantics” mean?

8. Searle considers two objections to his Chinese room parable. What are they and how does he answer them?

9. What exactly is and is not the question being asked in this chapter? How does Searle answer the exact question being asked?

10. What is the difference between duplication and simulation?

11. What reasons would anyone have for thinking that computer simulations of mental processes actually are mental processes?

12. What is Searle’s argument, premise by premise, conclusion by conclusion. Explain each premise and each conclusion.

13. Is Searle’s argument valid? Why or why not? Explain.

14. Is Searle’s argument sound? Why or why not? Explain.