Paper Example Undergraduate 1,083 words

Can computers think: artificial intelligence and cognition

Last reviewed: October 29, 2013 ~6 min read
Abstract

The detailed research paper will have the introduction of Artificial intelligence, which is the science of making smart and intelligent machines. We will provide compelling arguments for and against the artificial intelligence. This paper will also discuss that how this issue has been considered by many of the scientists. Gary Kasparov, who actually initiated this debate that computer can learn to think, So we will discuss the aspects on the basis of which he started this debate. The detailed research paper will have the introduction of Artificial intelligence, which is the science of making smart and intelligent machines. We will provide compelling arguments for and against the artificial intelligence. This paper will also discuss that how this issue has been considered by many of the scientists. Gary Kasparov, who actually initiated this debate that computer can learn to think, So we will discuss the aspects on the basis of which he started this debate.

¶ … Computers think final

Can Computers Think

Like the debate for and against marijuana, the computer is also a subject of discussion among people. Man has not yet settled if computer can actually think or not. The computers have a brain that has memory but it is until now under discussion whether this brain helps in keeping and processing information alone or does it also help in decision making process. The process of thinking may be defined as method by which an entity considers and create ideas based on opinions and reasoning. While some think that the computers can not only think but also tell right from wrong, there are others that believe that role of computers is only to make choice between available options. The "cannot think" opinion holders argue that a computer is useless without the operating system and programs designed by the programmers and coders (O'Regan, 2012). The performance and capacity of computers is limited to the boundaries set by codes and the codes define parameters of work of the computers; they themselves cannot decide what to do and how to do it in a perfect manner. They propose that intelligence of a machine is subset of intelligence of the maker (Cooper & Leeuwen, 2012) and that men translate their thinking into codes since computers cannot think. Humanistic thinking involves values and moral considerations too but the computers, the opponent suggest, can only select the option that is better suitable based on the criteria provided. Thus, the computers cannot even come up with their own decision making criteria.

On the other hand, the proponents of the idea that computers can think describe thinking as a memory-based process and they suggest that intuition and feelings are not integral parts of thinking. Thus, given memory, the computers can reflect to the history thus they can think and make decisions too (McGinnis, 2013). The computers were initially used simply for purpose of calculation and data manipulation. The role of computers has evolved ever since and today they can even project future trends in an industry and can tell about the sales of the company in the next quarter based on the data of the previous quarters. Thus, many consider that this capacity of computers can be called thinking because if there were no computers, man would be carrying out these tasks. Thus, computers think on behalf of man and save his time too. The proponents not only have no doubt that computers can think but also they say that computers are better at thinking even than man himself.

A research on the thinking capacity of computers can be carried out to investigate what actually thinking is and how the scientists define this process in the light of the basic concepts of biology. The thinking process can be understood in terms of hardware (brain) and software (process) that will help relate the thinking capacity of man and the computers. While it is not impossible that the machine can have the level of intelligence of the developer, but the question is whether man has achieved that status yet or not. The discussion is not to find merely if this can happen or not but to find whether at present computers can think or not and also to find out work under process to develop thinking in computers. This research is also aimed at finding if such a thing exists or is about to exist, what will be the level of the thinking of computers. The development of computers till today offers a solid history that can determine the path of evolution of computers. Having a profound knowledge of growth and development of computers serve as basis to define what is the epic of development of computers. The involvement of computers in healthcare, business, engineering, building, research, biotechnology etc. tells that the machine is capable of performing miracles. Yet, the debate stands, can computers think or can they simply make choices?

Thesis Statement

Can Computers think?

Research Questions

The research on the existence or absence of thinking process in computers can be carried out along following parameters and questions:

I. What makes a process thinking process?

II. What defines decision making in computers?

III. What are the arguments and facts that suggest that computers can think?

IV. What are the facts suggesting that computers cannot think?

V. Is there an ongoing research on the subject if the computers can be made to think?

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References
3 sources cited in this paper
  • 1. Churchland, P. M., & Churchland, P. S. Could a. Machine Think? .Machine Intelligence: Perspectives on the Computational Model, no.1, (2012): 102.
  • 2. Dreyfus, H., & Dreyfus, S.Why computers may never think like people. Readings in the Philosophy of Technology, no. 375, 2009
  • 3. Lajoie, S. P., & Derry, S. J. Computers as cognitive tools. (Routledge, 2013)
Cite This Paper
PaperDue. (2013). Can computers think: artificial intelligence and cognition. PaperDue. https://www.paperdue.com/essay/can-computers-think-125859

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