Robotics Reference
In-Depth Information
the end of the century the use of words and general educated opin-
ion will have altered so much that one will be able to speak of
machines thinking without expecting to be contradicted. I be-
lieve further that no useful purpose is served by concealing these
beliefs. The popular view that scientists proceed inexorably from
well-established fact to well-established fact, never being influenced
by any unproved conjecture, is quite mistaken. Provided it is made
clear which are proved facts and which are conjectures, no harm
can result. Conjectures are of great importance since they suggest
useful lines of research. [2]
Having explained his own position on the question, Turing then consid-
ered “opinions opposed to my own”, the first of which he dismisses out
of hand:
(1) The Theological Objection.
Thinking is a function of man's
immortal soul. God has given an immortal soul to every man and
woman, but not to any other animal or to machines. Hence no
animal or machine can think.
I am unable to accept any part of this. [2]
The next objection considered by Turing is a natural but purely emo-
tional one, again dismissed in short order.
(2) The “Heads in the Sand” Objection.
“The consequences of
machines thinking would be too dreadful. Let us hope and believe
that they cannot do so.”
This argument is seldom expressed quite so openly as in the form
above. Butitaffectsmostofuswhothinkaboutitatall. We
like to believe that Man is in some subtle way superior to the rest
of creation. It is best if he can be shown to be necessarily supe-
rior, for then there is no danger of him losing his commanding
position
.
The popularity of the theological argument is clearly con-
nected with this feeling. It is likely to be quite strong in intellectual
people, since they value the power of thinking more highly than
others, and are more inclined to base their belief in the superiority
of Man on this power.
I do not think that this argument is sufficiently substantial to re-
quire refutation. Consolation would be more appropriate: perhaps
this should be sought in the transmigration of souls. [2]
Turing's opinion on this particular contra-argument was later endorsed
by another of the founding fathers of Artificial Intelligence, Nobel laure-
ate Herbert Simon of Carnegie Mellon University.
