Monthly Archives: October 2011
The Imitation Game
English mathematician Alan Turing (1912-1954) has made many important contributions to mathematics and logic, and is considered one of the fathers of computers and the father of Artificial Intelligence. He was instrumental in breaking the “Enigma” code of the Nazis … Continue reading
Filed under Philosophy
Androids, robots and autism
Isaac Asimov and Philip Dick in novels about robots and androids often explored what it means to be human. In doing so they have noted that Artificial Intelligence is mostly about thinking and being conscious of thinking. But what about … Continue reading
Filed under Brain and consciousness, Technologies
Are we all mechanical zombies?
What is the difference between thinking and appearing to be thinking? How can one tell them apart? An interesting answer comes from philosophy of mind in the shape and form of zombies. A philosophical zombie (or “p-zombie”) is a hypothetical … Continue reading
Filed under Philosophy
Sex with robots II: robot reproduction
It is rumored that when Descartes left France to go to work as the tutor of young Queen Christina of Sweden he was asked by his royal student what could be said of the human body. Descartes answer was that … Continue reading
Filed under Technologies, The Future
