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From: als@bohra.cpg.oz (Anthony Shipman)
Newsgroups: comp.ai
Subject: Re: Artificial vs. ''real'' intelligence
Summary: but may be quite irrelevant
Message-ID: <376@bohra.cpg.oz>
Date: 4 Jul 90 01:18:24 GMT
References: <1990Jul2.182411.4441@king.mcs.drexel.edu>
Organization: Computer Power Group, Melb, Australia
Lines: 40

In article <1990Jul2.182411.4441@king.mcs.drexel.edu>, jsmith@king.mcs.drexel.edu (Justin Smith) writes:
> The human brain, being physical, has a {\it natural
> tendancy} to make use of {\it physical functions} rather
> than recursive functions in its computations. 
> Over the course of evolution (and we have to include the
> evolution of the reptilian and mammalian as well as the
> human brain) any physical functions that gave rise to
> useful information {\it were utilized}.  A rat fleeing
> from a predator didn't ask whether the decision to flee
> was the result of a recursive function evaluation.
> 
> 
> The brain, on the other hand, has tens of millions of
> years of ``experience'' at attempting to survive by any
> means at its disposal, and it appears {\it likely} that
> it makes use of physical computations that are {\it not}
> Turing-computable. 

Implicit in all of these types of arguments is the assumption that whatever the
brain uses to achieve intelligence is the one and only way it can be done. I
consider this to be an unjustified assumption. 

Counterargument:  No machine does nor can flap its wings well enough to fly but 
				many fly nonetheless. And better than birds do.

Since nobody understands: intelligence, how-the-brain-works, knowledge, meaning,
understanding etc. all arguments about whether AI is possible or not are just
mind games IMHO. Maybe in 50 or 100 years we may know enough about the subject
to carry out a more knowledgeable discussion.

In the worst possible case searching for AI may be like searching for the
philospher's stone. This was an unachievable goal but along the way a great 
deal of useful knowledge was obtained. Similarly I believe the search for AI 
will be a fruitful task even if the end goal turns out to be unachievable. To
even seek to abort this task at this early stage is incredibly myopic.
-- 
Anthony Shipman                               ACSnet: als@bohra.cpg.oz.au
Computer Power Group
9th Flr, 616 St. Kilda Rd.,
St. Kilda, Melbourne, Australia
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