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Computing machinery and mentality

B McMullin1

  • 1School of Electronic Engineering, Dublin City University, Ireland. mcmullin@eeng.dcu.ie

Brain and Cognition
|June 1, 1997
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Computationalism, the idea that mentality arises from abstract machine computation, is widely doubted but still lacks strong counterarguments. Its status remains undecided, potentially offering a valid research framework.

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Area of Science:

  • Philosophy of Mind
  • Cognitive Science
  • Artificial Intelligence

Background:

  • Computationalism posits that mentality is equivalent to realizing an abstract machine.
  • This doctrine, also known as weak functionalism, is currently viewed as largely discredited in academic circles.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To re-evaluate the current standing of computationalism.
  • To critically assess the arguments against computationalism, particularly Searle's Chinese Room Argument and Popper's Open Universe theory.

Main Methods:

  • Reconsideration of the philosophical arguments for and against computationalism.
  • Critical analysis of John Searle's Chinese Room Argument.
  • Examination of relevant aspects of Karl Popper's theory of the Open Universe.

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Main Results:

  • The arguments against computationalism are found to be relatively weak, despite the thesis being considered unsatisfactory or even repugnant.
  • Searle's Chinese Room Argument and Popper's theories do not definitively discredit computationalism.

Conclusions:

  • The status of computationalism remains undecided.
  • Computationalism may still serve as a viable framework for future research in philosophy of mind and cognitive science.