Can a computer truly think?

Question

Can a digital computer actually think? That is to say: Is instantiating or implementing the right computer program with the right inputs and outputs, sufficient for, or constitutive of, thinking? And to this question, unlike its predecessors, the answer is clearly "no" for the reason that we have spelled out, namely, the computer program is defined purely syntactically

Answer 1

No. The computer processes complex data but will never have the emotional capacity of a human brain.

How do you process love? Hate? Joy?

Answer 2

Computer will be able to think. I am the one destined to create strong AI. I learned from an early age how to program computers, and I am currently working as a senior software developer for Ingenix. A computer only has three restrictions: speed, capacity, and peripherals. Any logical process can be performed, and any physical phenomena can be simulated.

Most people share the perception that a computer can’t think for many reasons. You mention because computer programs are defined purely syntactically. I would argue that, there is nothing restricting a processor executing language based on syntax from being able to achieve thought.

Here is one example of why I know a computer program could think. Scan the location and velocity of every atom within a human body into a computer database. Code the laws of physics into the program to control the movement of the positions of the atoms within the database over time. Build an interface between the database and the computer in order for the simulated human to use the computer’s peripherals in order to interact with the world.

Answer 3

these kind of questions are asked a lot through out history and heavily debated and it is indeed a good question.

i think the underpinning of the question is really weather or not humans have a "soul", as pointed out in a previous answer the human mind is simply made from neurones and stuff (or somfin like that) basically it has a make up from matter just as a computer is, you could also interpret the question as wheater or not we have free will which yet again has/is been a heavily debated topic,

my answer is not a set one as i still debate the case of free will or not.
i will say though to look at the question and give some thought into what the difference between humans and machines is,

if you agree that both are simply a make up of matter in a particular configuration then i will say simply that machines do think but we are more complex thinkers,

if you agree that beyond the material makeup there is something more to humans than its material makeup then its a matter of weather this "other makeup" can "posses" the material of a machine.

on this note id like to say that i feel we should be conducting deeper investigation of what makes something "alive" that will fit under natural philosophy

Answer 4

If what you say is true, then it can easily be argued that humans do not think, either.

After all, chains of neurons operate in very predictable ways. Motions of molecules and the like are purely deterministic, even when the sum total of their motion is to produce systematic patterns of one sort or another.

If it is impossible for a purely electrical, mechanical, or chemical system to think, then I challenge you to describe how a human could possibly think.

Before you answer, consider this: Someday soon we will develop a computer which will be able to completely and perfectly model the positions and interactions of enough molecules to run a simulation of a human brain that is perfect in every way. Unless there is something in a human brain beyond molecules, it will be able to do ANYTHING a human brain does. Perhaps better.

Soon.

Answer 5

You are right.... a computer just do what is asked to do.... and we already decided for the computer how it should be done.. the computer is doing nothing... just processing information and tranforming it...

A computer is not a thinking machine, but rather a machine that transforms information and arrange it for you... without ever thinking, but rather by following precice steps typed/imputed in by a thinking being....

Anyways... you already answered your own question before anyone... but that surely helps prove your answer.... I hope..

But... Artificial Intelligence is on its way... hopefully we will be able to create a being with the initial design needed to start thinking and reasoning...

I hope that helps!

CHRIS

Answer 6

A computer will only Think as much as you tell it to think... It makes logical projections based on the information offered. Unless the computer can think for itself, there is no way it actually thinks...

Mostly, it's an issue of mathematics and complex equations that we humans are too lazy to do on our own.

Answer 7

Ok, you asked a question and then answered it in the same post. Was there a point to that?

Answer 8

they can be programed to "think" they can have the appearance of life. they can have AI, but AI is artificial inteligence, not real inteligence. they have aligorithims or w/e there called tht make them learn, but no. they do not really think.

Answer 9

There must have been a point to your talking to yourself, mind to elaborate? ROFL