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From: loren@dweasel.llnl.gov (Loren Petrich)
Newsgroups: comp.ai.philosophy
Subject: Re: Minds, machines, and Godel
Message-ID: <89586@lll-winken.LLNL.GOV>
Date: 16 Jan 91 22:45:47 GMT
References: <1991Jan16.035058.7465@bronze.ucs.indiana.edu> <28087@cs.yale.edu>
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	I am not impressed with the claim that Go"del's theorem
indicates that there are things that we can think about that a
computer cannot. For the following reason. Consider that Go"del's
theorem is for any formal system in which statement can refer to
themselves. The theorem states that there will exist a statement G
that states: "G is not a theorem". Though true, it cannot be shown to
be true inside the system. All that is necessary is the ability to
make self-references. Go"del's theorem is simply a fancy version of
the Liar Paradox. If "I am lying" is true, then it must be false. If
it is false, then it must be true. Ad infinitum.

	There is a psychological version of Go"del's theorem, which
makes no assumptions about the nature of the human mind. Consider this
statement:

	I am incapable of judging the correctness of this statement

While it is certainly true, one will not be able to work it out
directly. Because if one was able to do so, that would imply that one
was not. I myself am able to discuss this by psychological
indirection, involving my ability to analyze my own thought.

	So that is why I think that Go"del's theorem makes no
limitation on computers that we do not share, because one can always
set up a psychological version of the statement G mentioned earlier.

	Any comments?


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Loren Petrich, the Master Blaster: loren@sunlight.llnl.gov

Since this nodename is not widely known, you may have to try:

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What do you MEAN it's not in the computer?!? -- Madonna