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From: caasi@sdsu.UUCP (Richard Caasi)
Newsgroups: comp.ai
Subject: Re: Is the human mind flawed?
Message-ID: <2809@sdsu.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 12-Oct-87 13:12:39 EDT
Article-I.D.: sdsu.2809
Posted: Mon Oct 12 13:12:39 1987
Date-Received: Wed, 14-Oct-87 01:59:06 EDT
Organization: San Diego State University, Math/Sciences Dept.
Lines: 21
Keywords: ai philosophy cs


If the human mind was flawless we wouldn't be debating this issue.
To determine how flawed the human mind is we need to first define the
characteristics of a flawless or perfect mind.  Any suggestions?

It certainly shouldn't have the limitations of Turing machines, that
is, it should be able to "solve" non-computable functions non-
algorithmically.  Given perfect information as input, its output
should be likewise perfect, right? Or perhaps its output should
always be perfect regardless of how imperfect or incomplete its
inputs are. (Whcih violates the CS law of Garbage In Garbage Out)

       Drawing an analogy with ideal operational amplifiers
in electronics, the perfect mind can be characterized by infinite
memory, zero learning time, zero search and recall time, sensory
perception with infinite bandwidth (flat frequency response from
negative infinity to positive infinity), zero computation time, and
knowledge of future inputs, etc., etc.  (What do we have - God?)

Question: Does such a mind exist or is nothing perfect in the real
world?