97. This is connected with the question whether a machine could think.
This is like when we say: “The will can’t be a phenomenon, for whatever
phenomenon you take is something that simply
happens, not something we do.” But there is no doubt that you also have
experiences when you move your arm voluntarily, although the phenomena of doing
are indeed different from the phenomena of observing. But there are very
different cases here
‘This is connected with the question whether a machine could think’?
the proposition – the proposal – is
that which is put –
I think there is an argument for saying that a machine can propose
what we deal with logically
speaking is propositions – that which
is proposed –
how you explain the origin of the proposal – what account you give of
how it came about – i.e. man or machine – is logically irrelevant –
that is to say that who or what puts the proposal – is irrelevant – and who
or what deals with the proposal – is irrelevant
even if you accept that a machine can or does propose – you might ask –
how could a proposal put by a machine – be held open to question – to doubt –
by the machine?
an interesting question –
and your answer here will depend on just what you think counts as
questioning – and how you understand doubt
in relation to the machine perhaps it’s a hardware – if not a software
problem?
that might be the case with humans too
“The will can’t be a phenomenon, for whatever phenomenon you take is
something that simply happens, not
something we do.” But there is no doubt that you also have experiences when you
move your arm voluntarily, although the phenomena of doing are indeed different
from the phenomena of observing. But there are very different cases here
no doubt that you have experiences?
well what happens is what happens – the question is how best to describe?
and yes the common description is ‘experience’ –
but just what that amounts to could be anything –
and the term ‘experience’ – in certain propositional contexts – may not
be used at all
‘although the phenomena of doing are indeed different from the phenomena
of observing’?
logically speaking no –
whether doing or observing – we propose –
we put forward proposals – propositions –
open to question – open to doubt –
uncertain
© greg t. charlton. 2014.
