Minds and Macines
What the Human Mind Can Do That the Computer Can't
Argument Summary
Morton Hunt argues that although there are many things that a computer can do, however the abilities of a computer will never be able to replicate many of the defining characteristics of consciousness. Much of that which remains not yet replicable by artificial intelligence are the same kinds of stuff that the artificial intelligence will never feasibly be able to achieve. An example would be that of self-awareness. Cognitive science offers a developing model of consciousness which includes being able to internalize the real world in our minds in symbolic form. That is, we perceive not only the real world, but also our interpretation of this perception, which are both reconciled into something we consider to be consciousness or human ability to be self-aware of their own place within this process.
Another aspect of humanity that will be hard to model artificially is also the creative processes that each individual experiences to a greater or lesser extent. Much of the process of human reason takes place under the surface; although we realize we have impulses, instincts, and reactions, much of these processes occur within our sub-consciousness and we only become conscious of them during the last phases of their manifestation. Furthermore, there is an inherent longing for the human mind to exercise itself in new directions; called curiosity, restlessness, or even playfulness by some. This is another aspect to artificial intelligence that cannot be replicated since the computer will ultimately be reliant on the programmer for a sense of direction which makes it more of a passive system; in contrast, to an active system that can be found in human reasoning.
Argument Rebuttal
Although it is tempting to want to believe that the human consciousness it ultimately unique, special, and unable to be reproduced, the fact of the matter is that there is an inherent biasness to this line...
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