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From: johnsons@stolaf.UUCP (Scott W. Johnson)
Newsgroups: net.philosophy
Subject: Can computers think?
Message-ID: <1698@stolaf.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 9-May-84 12:21:22 EDT
Article-I.D.: stolaf.1698
Posted: Wed May  9 12:21:22 1984
Date-Received: Sat, 12-May-84 09:58:46 EDT
Organization: St. Olaf College, Northfield MN
Lines: 24


     Perhaps no one will doubt that we are in an age of information, an
age which relies on the rapid consumption and analysis of data. Our main
tool in this age is the computer, and often, with the subject of computers
mentioned, one hears questions about artificial intelligence. Now, I 
propose to you this question--

                   Can present day computers think?

     This is my own personal response to the question; no, I do not think
computers think (don't play on my words here). My reasons for holding that
computers do not think: 1) only that which is human, or human-like, do we
say that thinking occurs. Computers "simulate" (and note my emphasis on this
word) SOME human behavior, but not important aspects of human behavior.
This is crucial to understand. This point has been articulated by many
philosophers, chief of which is Ludwig Wittgenstein. 2) computers as yet
do not have sufficient conclusive proof (to me at any rate) that they 
are creative, that they can manipulate knowledge in new, original ways.
This follows from the first. I will cut short my argument here and let
others response to this intriguing question. I am anxious about what
others might response to in this question. Thank you.

                                                Scott Johnson
                                               Saint Olaf College
                                                 !ihnp4;johnsons (I think)