Re: Lucas’ Agument Against Mechanism

From: yu274793@yorku.ca
Date: Mon Nov 25 2002 - 23:23:08 EST

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    Quoting yu267923@YorkU.CA:

    > Samuel Chak
    > 204919437
    >
    >
    > Lucas states: "we can never, even in principle, have a mechanical model of
    > the
    > mind."
    >
    > I find it hard to agree with him. It is indeed true that our current
    > technology cannot produce mind-like machines. Yet, it seems rather
    > irrational
    > to rule out the eventuality of a super computer system encompassing the full
    > spectrum of human knowledge. By that time, machines will have the same
    > knowledge as humans and thereby can solve all Gödel-like problems.
    >
    Hi Samuel,
    Your argument does not convince me to disagree Lucas' statement. First,
    mechanical model of the mind can be interpreted that the mind works following
    way: a set of formula on mind and initial condition "stimuli" will decide what
    is going to be in the future, no mater how complicated it is. Second, the
    formula can be expressed as a serial arithmetic calculation. Third, this kind
    of system is a formal system. Godel's theorem proves that there is a statement
    that is a true but it can not be proved as true or false in this system.
    Furthermore Lucas argue that since formal system is incomplete system, human
    being can find a flaw in that system. Hence it is impossible use a formal
    system interpret the mind.
    Can we find full spectrum of human knowledge? Can we express these knowledge in
    a formal system? I guess both answer from Lucas are NO.

    Welcome any comments.

    Wei Xu
    204952495
    ___________________________________________________________________
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