Rawls, Turing & Searle, Singer-LH 38-40, FL 29-30, Why Grow Up (WGU) -p.35
- Does Rawls's "Veil of Ignorance" thought experiment help to clarify your ideas about justice and fairness? 230
- Can you suggest an example of an inequity in our society that helps the "worst off"? 231
- Does John Searle's Chinese Room thought experiment persuade you that computers can't really think like humans? 234 Does the Turing Test show that they can?
- Do you agree that computers can be programmed with syntax but not semantics? 236
- Do you think it will ever be possible to transfer minds into computers? Would you want your mind "uploaded"? What could go wrong? 237
- Should we all "give up one or two luxuries" to help less fortunate people?240
- Is "species-ism" still too widely accepted? Is it species-ist to eat meat?242-3
- Do you agree that Peter Singer represents the best tradition in philosophy? 244-5 Is he a modern Socrates?
FL
- Is it dangerous when a President confuses legend and myth, and movies, with reality? 254-5
- Is there any way to control the spread of "cockamamie ideas and outright falsehoods" on the Internet" 260
- Do you think of growing up as "a matter of renouncing your hopes and dreams"? 1
- Do you like the "well-meaning Uncle's" advice? Or the Rolling Stones'? 4
- Is Kant right, in "What is Enlightenment?," about why people "choose immaturity"? 5
- If distractions, especially "since the invention of cyberspace," are "literally limitless," is Enlightenment in Kant's sense a realistic goal for most people? 9
- Do you agree that it takes courage to think for yourself? 11
- Is travel necessary for growing up? 13-16
- Is Larry Summers wrong about language-learning? 16
- Do you believe the best time of life is between the ages of 18 and 28? 20
- How innocent should childhood be? What do you think of the way French children were raised in the 17th century? 24
- Do you wish you'd had a Samoan childhood? Do you think tests in school prepare you for life? 27
- Is it bad to be "WEIRD" (In the sense of the acronym)? 32
- Should philosophers pay more attention to child-rearing and parenting? 36
- What do you think Cicero meant by saying that philosophy is learning to die?
- Do you feel fully empowered to "choose your life's journey"? If not, what obstacles prevent that? 37
- In what ways do you think your parents' occupations influence the number of choices you'll be able to make in your life?
- If you've read 1984 and Brave New World, which do you find the more "seductive dystopia"? 39
- Are we confused about toys and dreams? 40
- Do others make the most important decisions for you? 41
- Do you "make a regular appointment with your body"? 42
- Do you trust anyone over 30? 45
- Is it "reasonable to expect justice and joy"? 49
- Are you "committed to Enlightenment"? 51
- Do the passions for glory and luxury make us wicked and miserable? 53
- What does it mean to say there are no atheists in foxholes? Is it true? 54
- Was Rousseau right about inequality and private property? 55
- Should philosophy be taught to children, so as to become thinking adults? 57
- Should children "yield to the commands of other people"? 61
- Should parents "let the child wail"?
- Are Rousseau and Kant right about the true definition of freedom? 62
- Is Rousseau right about desire? 65
- Did Rousseau's abandonment of his children discredit his thoughts on child-rearing? 69 Or show him to be a hypocrite for saying no task in the world is more important than raising a child properly? 72
American moral philosopher and author, Susan Neiman, talks us about why we have been tricked to think we are happiest when we are young and why it is we need to grow up. Watch the full interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JeNQV... Institute of Art & Ideas
====
==
Arts & Letters Daily search results for “john rawls” (3)
2017-10-25 | John Rawls called it "the best of all games"; Mark Kingwell calls it "the most philosophical of games." What is it about baseball and philosophy? more »
2018-09-04 | What's the meaning of freedom? Isaiah Berlin, John Rawls, and Robert Nozick disagreed on much. But they all emphasized universal values over group identity more »
2018-08-24 | The famously liberal philosopher John Rawls has been recast as a sharp critic of capitalism. If Rawls really was a socialist, why was he so reticent about it? more »
Arts & Letters Daily search results for “ alan turing” (2)
2012-12-22 | Alan Turing was a courageous, patriotic, but sad, unconventional man. He was also gay. Can homosexuality help explain his genius? more »
2014-01-01 | Alan Turing predicted that computers would be able to think by 2000. No dice. Not even close. We still don't understand what thinking is more »
Arts & Letters Daily search results for “john searle” (2)
2015-04-18 | John Searle has a bone to pick with Bacon, Descartes, Locke, and Kant. He blames them for the basic mistake of modern epistemology more »
2015-06-23 | Everything you know about perception is wrong – and it’s the fault of Western philosophers, starting with Descartes. Or so John Searle would have you think more »
“I believe that at the end of the century the use of words and general educated opinion will have altered so much that one will be able to speak of machines thinking without expecting to be contradicted.”
“I'm afraid that the following syllogism may be used by some in the future:
Turing believes machines think
Turing lies with men
Therefore machines do not think."
LA Theater Worksw dramatization, "Breaking the Code" - recording
==
Jaron Lanier on the future of virtual reality etc. - and he says AI is not a thing... On Point 11.29.17... Dawn of the New Everything
==
“To protest about bullfighting in Spain, the eating of dogs in South Korea, or the slaughter of baby seals in Canada while continuing to eat eggs from hens who have spent their lives crammed into cages, or veal from calves who have been deprived of their mothers, their proper diet, and the freedom to lie down with their legs extended, is like denouncing apartheid in South Africa while asking your neighbors not to sell their houses to blacks.”
==
Jaron Lanier on the future of virtual reality etc. - and he says AI is not a thing... On Point 11.29.17... Dawn of the New Everything
==
“To protest about bullfighting in Spain, the eating of dogs in South Korea, or the slaughter of baby seals in Canada while continuing to eat eggs from hens who have spent their lives crammed into cages, or veal from calves who have been deprived of their mothers, their proper diet, and the freedom to lie down with their legs extended, is like denouncing apartheid in South Africa while asking your neighbors not to sell their houses to blacks.”
“If possessing a higher degree of intelligence does not entitle one human to use another for his or her own ends, how can it entitle humans to exploit non-humans?”
“The notion that human life is sacred just because it is human life is medieval.”
“If it is in our power to prevent something bad from happening, without thereby sacrificing anything of comparable moral importance, we ought, morally, to do it.”
“To give preference to the life of a being simply because that being is a member of our species would put us in the same position as racists who give preference to those who are members of their race.”
Just as we have progressed beyond the blatantly racist ethic of the era of slavery and colonialism, so we must now progress beyond the speciesist ethic of the era of factory farming, of the use of animals as mere research tools, of whaling, seal hunting, kangaroo slaughter, and the destruction of wilderness. We must take the final step in expanding the circle of ethics. -”
“Philosophy ought to question the basic assumptions of the age. Thinking through, critically and carefully, what most of us take for granted is, I believe, the chief task of philosophy, and the task that makes philosophy a worthwhile activity.”
- Out for
#GivingTuesday, Animal Charity Evaluators has a new list of recommended organizations working for animals: animalcharityevaluators.org/blog/introduci…
 | Peter Singer (@PeterSinger) |
"Philosophy Changing Lives" - an interview with me on Why? Radio: goo.gl/ztR4m9 | |
Arts & Letters Daily search results for “peter singer” (3)
2011-01-01 | For Peter Singer, the defining idea of the coming decade will be the Internet, which will democratize education, economics, and the media more »
2010-01-01 | Abhorring animal cruelty does not entail the idea that all animals, humans included, sit at the same moral level. Peter Singer has an argument to answer more »
2015-07-07 | Where morality meets rationalism. Is Peter Singer’s “effective altruism” the apotheosis of ethics, or an unempathetic, politically naive, elitist doctrine? more »
Section #4
ReplyDeleteIs it dangerous when a President confuses legend and myth, and movies, with reality?
I believe when a president looses contact with reality then the world is in danger from their belief in a fallacy. Myths and legends are fun to learn about and to dive into that sometimes explains the belief of past generations. However, when a national leader begins to subscribe to them as fact then we start to see irrational decision being made to further their beliefs. An example could be when a former president pulled the US out of climate agreements on the basis of their belief of climate change as a myth.
Do you think it will ever be possible to transfer minds into computers? Would you want your mind "uploaded"? What could go wrong?
In the future yes I believe that transfer to machines will be the key to human immortality. I cant say when or how this technology would work because no one knows as of now but theories of the idea seem to support it on paper. Would I want mine uploaded? On one hand yes because then essential I would become immortal and free of the fear of death but on the other I feel as if I will loose sight of what it means to be human. As dualism is concerned the mind and body are separate I believe but are also interconnected to one another and together form what it means to be alive as a human. As for what could go wrong, well death if not done correctly. Also you could possible loose who you are as a person and loose any emotion or beliefs you had or you could start to operate on a basic level of primal survival if the machine is setup correctly.
Johnny Depp definitely "lost sight of what it means to be human" in Transcendence, losing both his connection to other humans and to his own embodied humanity. That's fundamentally what it means to be human, isn't it, to be an embodied person among others like yourself. Trading that for some kind of immortality seems both seductive and scary, and would surely mean the end of humanity or the beginning of post-humanity, or both. Then again, mortality and death are scary too. As Kant said, we most need to grow up and have courage.
DeleteI think losing sight of what it means to be human is a real concern if this is eventually possible.
DeleteSection 8
ReplyDeletePai S Ning
FL
Is it dangerous when a President confuses legend and myth, and movies, with reality? 254-5
It is not so much that it's bad, it just is a lot of pressure and unrealistic expectations. Those expectations may come from other people or yourself. Everyone say life is nothing like a movie, but for someone who's always on the spotlight may see this differently. According to the text, JFK "took painkillers, antianxiety drugs, sleeping pills, and stimulants," all hinting to his stressful life as both celebrity and president. He probably had high expectations about everything since most movies have happy endings, but it's not the case in real life.
A president who can't handle pressure is dangerous AND bad, don't you think?
DeleteSection 8
ReplyDeleteDoes Rawls's "Veil of Ignorance" thought experiment help to clarify your ideas about justice and fairness? 230
Yes. I think that is a great philosophy of how to look at not just justice but everyday life, impartially, and equally. Telling people to construct a society and they don’t know what spot they’ll hold within society is a great way to get a fair answer.
Do you think it will ever be possible to transfer minds into computers? Would you want your mind "uploaded"? What could go wrong? 237
I don’t know if it would be possible to create a computer capable of having all the characteristics of a human brain, and honestly if they did, I wouldn’t want to lose the other sensory parts of life. I don’t think computers will overpower or overthink humans.
Was Wittgenstein's main message in the Tractatus correct? 203
Yes, I think that the human brain has so many thoughts and emotions it is hard to put them in words and even when you do they fall short. The vocabulary you use limits you.
Responded questions for Jan 28
DeleteResponded questions for Feb 2
Responded questions for Feb 4
Responded questions for Feb 9
Responded questions for Feb 11
Responded questions for Feb 16
Responded questions for Mar 4
Responded questions for Mar 9
Responded questions for Mar 11
Responded questions for Mar 23
Responded questions for Mar 25
Responded questions for Mar 30
In one "veil" thought experiment people were given a choice between two outcomes in Rawls's scenario: (1) a society like ours, and (2) an unnamed society that turned out to be Sweden. 92% chose (2), higher taxes and all. Isn't that interesting!
DeleteI agree with you about not wanting to lose the "sensory parts of life"... in the Star Trek universe, Mr. Data (the android) desperately wants the ability to feel, to have emotions, to genuinely care about life. Without embodied and sensate existence, that's apparently not possible. (But his evil brother gets an "emotion chip" and becomes, well, evil.)
Section 8
ReplyDeleteShould we all "give up one or two luxuries" to help less fortunate people?240
I agree that we should all give up our luxuries to help people need it most. This is something I am trying to be better about personally. It is easy to see someone in need and feel empathy for them, but it is much harder to be the person that goes out to help them. It is difficult and takes humility in order to give up daily conveniences money, or time to someone who needs it. This is something that I think would make the world a much better place. If we all just loved each other better and if we extended a helping hand to those who need it most instead of being so selfish we could see some real change. There are many ways to help people who need it, and I would also say that it's important to do it for the right reason. It goes back to the idea of doing something because you feel bad for a person, or doing it because you know that it is simply the right thing to do. Let's be a people that just does the right thing.
Do you agree that it takes courage to think for yourself? 11
It does take courage to think for yourself. It takes work, reflection, and time to understand one's self. We all have different beliefs. I am a Christian, and even as a Christian it is easy to allow other people to just tell you what that means instead of reading the Bible for yourself, doing research, asking the tough questions etc...I understand there are many who do not have faith like I do and some would argue that being a Christian means that I don't think for myself. Even still, it is important to understand what you do believe or place faith in. It is important to know what your stance is on important issues in our society instead of just letting certain media outlets tell you what to think. It takes courage to think for yourself and there are many people who do not think for themselves, but rather echo the voice of someone else. Don't be afraid to think and do the work.
Replied to a comment for Jan 28
Responded to questions for Jan 28
Responded to questions for Feb 2nd
Responded to questions for Feb 4th
Responded to questions for Feb 9th
Responded to questions for Feb 11th
Responded to questions for Feb 16th
Responded to questions for Feb 18th
Responded to questions for Feb 25th
Responded to questions for March 2nd
Responded to questions for March 4th
Responded to questions for March 9th
Responded to questions for March 11th
Responded to questions for March 25th
Responded to questions for March 30th
It's definitely possible to be religious AND philosophically reflective. Thinking for yourself means coming to your own conclusions, based on your own exercise of critical intelligence. Being enlightened and "mature" means (in part) understanding that not everyone will arrive at the same conclusions, and that that's okay.
DeleteSection 7.
ReplyDeleteNegative, I don't think minds can be uploaded purely into a computer; same token as I disagree with our minds being computers to begin with. Technically, you can program a computer to have tendency's of someone, but I don't think we'll ever be able to purely 1:1 transfer over.
I obviously oppose blatant animal cruelty, but in general I think that humans are above all else on the planet. To add on, it's in our omnivorous nature to eat meat. It's not prejudice against animals, it's simply our need to survive. There's also preference towards meat too of course.
On the internet? Sheesh, that's a tall task. Preventing a convincing lie from spreading on the world wide web is almost like trying to catch water in a bucket full of holes. I think it could be done? With 25/8 constant moderation, but it would be extremely, extremely difficult.
Negative. I believe the best time of your life is when you decide to enjoy life. For me, I enjoyed life from 5-17ish y/o; I was playing sports and all was good -- I was a kid. Others might have had a harder childhood. That's one of those viewpoints that are situational.
Jan 28: Responded to questions
DeleteFeb 2-4: Responded to questions
Feb 9: Responded to questions
Feb 11: Responded to questions
Feb 16: Responded to questions
Feb 18: Responded to questions
Feb 25: Responded to questions
Mar 2: Responded to questions
Mar 4: Responded to questions
Mar 9: Responded to questions
Mar 11: Responded to questions
Mar 23: Responded to questions
Mar 25: Responded to questions, comments
Mar 30: Responded to questions
"I think that humans are above all else on the planet" -- yes, if "above" means more evolved in terms of neural complexity, cultural development, etc. But there are other forms of life on our planet that have been here a lot longer than we have, so in terms of longevity and possibly of long-term capacity to survive, they may be above us. The insect world seems to be "above" us in the Tennessee summertime, for instance. And beware the return of the 17-year cicadas!
ReplyDeleteKeylee Crutcher Section 8
ReplyDeleteDoes John Searle's Chinese Room thought experiment persuade you that computers can't really think like humans? 234 Does the Turing Test show that they can?
--Firstly, the Turing test just shoes that humans can be convinced they're speaking to a human. It has nothing to do with whats going on inside the AI. I think there will eventually be a better test than this to determine if a computer can think.
--The Chinese room thought experiment just made me think of how humans think, honestly. I feel like we just do the same thing but we're so accustomed to it, or we don't do it consciously. For the part about understanding the meaning, when computers a set off to ask a million questions to people and they start to learn what these things literally mean, they'll also learn what purpose and meaning these things hold. It will probably take more time, but it's not like they can't learn the meaning; they just need those things explained to them probably.
Do you think it will ever be possible to transfer minds into computers? Would you want your mind "uploaded"? What could go wrong? 237
--I think it's very likely. As long as there's no side effect of everlasting pain or something like that, I would. Our consciousness is what's important anyways. It's not like we'd be forced to be immortal, we could be deleted or something.
Also, as of March 30th this is everything I’ve done:
Posted my introduction on Jan 28th
Responded to questions for Jan 28
Responded to questions for Feb 2nd
Responded to questions for Feb 4th
Responded to questions for Feb 9th
Responded to questions for Feb 11th
Responded to questions for Feb 16th
Responded to questions for Feb 18th
Responded to questions for Feb 25th
Responded to questions for March 2nd
Responded to questions for March 4th
Responded to questions for March 9th
Posted my Midterm summary under Questions March 11th
Responded to questions for March 23rd
Responded to questions for March 25th
Responded to questions for March 30th
Section 7
ReplyDeleteLH
1. Does John Searle's Chinese Room thought experiment persuade you that computers can't really think like humans? 234 Does the Turing Test show that they can?
- I do think that John Searle’s Chinese Room thought experiment proves to me that computers cannot really think like humans.
2. Do you agree that computers can be programmed with syntax but not semantics? 236
- Computers in fact are programmed with the arrangement of words and phrases to create well-formed sentences in a language, and lack semantics because semantics relate meaning in language and/or logic.
3. Do you think it will ever be possible to transfer minds into computers? Would you want your mind "uploaded"? What could go wrong? 237
- I think it is definitely a possibility that this could occur in the future. This sounds terrifying, and personally I would not want my mind uploaded in a computer.
FL
1. Is it dangerous when a President confuses legend and myth, and movies, with reality? 254-5
- Very much so, as a public figure it’s critical that they do not confuse legends and myths, and movies with reality. Especially if making a public speech on an issue. So many people blindly follow and believe the president, so it’s crucial he/she gives accurate and truthful information to the public.
WGU
1. Do you think of growing up as "a matter of renouncing your hopes and dreams"? 1
- Yes, to a certain extent. Growing up I recall wanting to be a famous singer. Turns out I sound like a tone-deaf individual, so clearly that dream will not become reality. I’ve come to think that our dreams change/develop with age.
2. Is travel necessary for growing up? 13-16
- Yes! As someone who has traveled the world, I can say it changes so many of your perspectives on life. You become so much more appreciative for all the things you do have, especially if you travel abroad. I think one traveling experience I had that forced me to grow up was when I traveled to Okinawa, Japan alone for 6 months. This experience forced me to become more independent, and even increased my self-esteem and confidence.
Responded to questions on 1/28, 2/2, 2/4, 2/9, 2/11, 2/16, 2/18,2/25, 3/2, 3/9, 3/25, 3/30
Presented on 3/11 and posted essay on 3/11
I would also agree that dreams change as you grow up. When we learn new things, new possibilites and new hopes open up to us.
DeleteSection 4
ReplyDeleteI do believe that the best time of life is between 18-28. And college is a huge reason as to why. You survived the hardships and embarrassment of high school, you survived your home life, and you can finally start living independently. In these few years, you can truly find who you are without constant fear of parental figures and their constant opinion. You have the right to go out and do what you want without permission. This is also the time to which you can start a future with preparing and settling into a job and maybe meeting the one you can get married to and have children. I am very excited to see where these next crucial 10 years take me
As of March 30th:
Jan 28 introduction
Jan 28 questions
Feb 2 questions
Feb 4 questions
Feb 9 questions
Feb 11 questions
Feb 16 questions
Feb 18 questions
Feb 23 questions
Feb 25 questions
Mar 2 questions
Mar 4 questions
Mar 9 questions
Mar 11 questions
Mar 23 Midterm
Mar 23 questions
Mar 25 questions
Mar 30 questions
I also think college is where you really find yourself and your confidence. High school and middle are the worst because its so easy to embarrass yourself when you're trying to fit in.
DeleteVernon Cooper
ReplyDeletePhilosophy
Is travel necessary for growing up? 13-16
A child who never gets to go to school and daycare. A child that never gets to make friends and be a part of a community. This is a child that is never going to be able to form questions that challenge what they believe and have been taught. That child will never gain a different perspective on the things that they see and experience from their day to day life. This is very similar in the sense of adults. If we as adults never get to travel we will never get to create a different perspective of the things that we read and learn about every day. We would only have what we have been taught to us much like a child and their parents. If they never get to engage in these things with the community they live in they would live life with a very strong and somewhat ignorant bias. We as adults have a responsibility to learn and grow. The biggest part of that growth is to gain our own perspective of the world with our own eyes and understand what it means to be a citizen of the world.
Completion Log:
Question answered on Feb.4th
Question answered on Feb.9th
Question answered on Feb.11th
Question answered on Feb.16th
Question answered on Feb18th
Question answered on Feb 25th
Question answered on March 4th
Question answered on March 9th
Reply to questions on March 11th
Posted my Midterm summary under Questions March 11th
Question answered on March 25th
Question answered on March 30th
I agree!!! we get thoughts and opinions from those around us and then that is when it Is up to us to formulate our own throughs based on what was presented to us. traveling gives us a better sense of the world and helps shape you into a unique person with different perspectives since you got to see how others got to live in other parts of the world that are different that that you are accustomed to.
DeleteSection #8 Alan Turing on AI - Carter Barnett
ReplyDeleteAlan Turing was born in England in 1912 and was a mathematician, computer scientist, logician and philosopher. Turing was way ahead of his time in computer science. In 1954 Turing was suspected to have committed suicide after being sentenced to castration for being in a sexual relationship with a 19 year old man. In 1935, 8 years before the modern computer would be invented, he came up with the stored program concept. Turing described his “stored-program” concept, which described a computing machine with limitless memory, that would scan its memory to form symbols, and would modify or improve its own program as it learned. This is now known as a “Turing machine”, and all modern computers are in essence Universal turing machines. He also came up with the Turing test which was a method of inquiry in artificial intelligence (AI) for determining whether or not a computer is capable of thinking like a human being. Turing never considered himself a philosopher, but his 1950 Paper “computing machinery and intelligence” is the most commonly cited modern philosophical literature. His argument was not that computers could think, but rather learn and talk in the same way a human does. He believed that by the end of the century that humans will not be able to differentiate machine thinking from human thinking. The turing test was a thought experiment where essentially a human and a machine would each try to convince a judge that it is the human. He believed that the human mind is limited and described the mind as a finite machine. He argued that the human brain must somehow be organized for intelligence and the organisation of the brain must be realisable as a finite discrete state system. A discrete system is a system with a countable number of states. He acknowledged limitations to the power of any machine but argued that there is no proof that shows humans intellect didn't have the same limitations, And so he argued that if the brain was like a machine, then mental function can be achieved by programming a computer. He also argued that although the brain is like a discrete system humans cannot be machines because they are clearly governed by laws of behavior and nature. Before his death Turing wrote in a letter to his friend somewhat contradicting his earlier statements by directly calling himself machine in which he said:
Turing believes machines think
Turing lies with men
Therefore Machines do not think
In this syllogism he seems to be calling back on his notion that the human brain is a machine, and because of the way his sexuality was viewed at the time period, he is saying that he does not think. I found this super interesting and I wish he dove deeper into this. Machines cannot have internal battles with things such as sexuality or addiction, and that is why I believe that AI cannot think the same way humans do. AI can learn to act like humans but do not yet have the ability to have these internal battles. They may be able to act to express emotion but do not experience it in the same way humans do. I think there is a fine line that can be drawn between computers and humans would be consciousness and the soul. If our brains truly function like computers then our heart is what differentiates us from computers. And if computers are some day programmed to experience these things, what would then be the line we draw in between humans and computers.
I find Alan Turing to be one of the most interesting individuals we have studied in this course. Like Turing, I believe the human mind is limited, and I appreciate that he saw the world in numbers. His unique intelligence and thought brought us farther in computer science than I believe would have happened without him.
DeleteChristopher Hall Section 7
I do agree that computers can be programmed with syntax but not semantics. This is probably because I like to think the human brain is unique and so complex it cannot be replicated. Complex thoughts such as humans have is what sets humans apart from every other animal in the kingdom. At the very least, I don’t think computers can will ever be able to fully understand the semantics of human thinking and understanding. Computers are capable of what we (humans) program them to be.
ReplyDeleteChristopher Hall Section 7
I agree that the human mind is too complex for a commuter to interpret, but it is also worrying how more accessible we made it to external factors like the government to get into those thoughts.
DeleteMarim Sameer (3/30)
ReplyDeleteSection 7
Discussion answer/ weekly essay
Do you think it will ever be possible to transfer minds into computers? Would you want your mind "uploaded"? What could go wrong? 237
I do believe that it will at some point in the future be possible to transfer out minds into computers, it is just a matter of time. I would not like my mind being “uploaded” into computers. The cons outweigh the pros. The pro could be that it could help some with Alzheimer's. I feel as though someone with memory loss has an easier way of accessing a memory by using a computer. Seeing pictures or merely hearing a dialogue can help with one's memory. However, the cons of the idea of “uploading” our minds into computers could be that now we are in a way giving up out privacy, hackers are now an issue, misinterpretation. When we transfer our minds to computers, we are now making it more acceptable to the government. They already invade our privacies this will just be one step further. They can see our minds and get a hold of so much more personal information. We could also have to worry about those who are great with computers and can hack and get into your mind. whatever information they may want from you they can easily get without your permission. We also have to take into account that computers have faults too. What if there is a virus? What if files start to crash?
Ernest Jones Section#4
ReplyDeleteErnest Wayne Jones
According to our text book, “The Way the World Thinks” Japanese appreciation of beauty is known for its simplicity and purity. Julian Baggini, the author, also states that more than a 100 years before abstract art took off in the West, The “Zen” (a buddhist school of thought that originated in China during the Tang dynasty), also known as the “ Chan School”. The purpose of this school was to achieve enlightenment by the way they lived, and by mental actions that approached the truth without philosophical thoughts or intellectual endeavors. This is one of the reasons why an artist named Gibon Sengai was painting on a canvas featuring only simple shapes. His work is most noted for an art expression known as “ Circle Triangle Square” The circle representing the infinite. The triangle when doubled, create a square, begins the multiplications of forms which fills the universe. It is the culture of East Asians, to pay closer attention to; the relationship between things and they're background. If a person of western culture would view the same piece of art, they would probably view this canvas with, first of all a square and a triangle and a circle. On the other hand a person from The East would see the same painting differently. First, the observers would see the empty spaces within each geometric form and the space between the circle, and the triangle ,and the square. They would see how each shape is related. They would probably see how it all started with a simple line that first took form as a circle and evolved into a triangle and then a square, each displaying their own unique shape of space (emptiness). Whereas a person form the West may see three different shape independently. First from left to right as opposed from right to left and taking in account the empty space between the shapes.
This Buddhist concept of emptiness is not limited to art alone. It is an expression of Buddhist thought primarily to mark the difference between the way things appear as opposed to the way they really are. These two elements coupled with a cultivated Buddhist attitude, will according to Buddhists, be spiritually beneficial for one’s life. Therefore focusing on emptiness or the absence of something, wether it is a person place or thing becomes a source of enlightenment. For example: My great grandfather no longer lives here on earth, however he still exist because a part of him exist in my grandfather, my father and now myself. And he will continue to exist in my children and my children’s children and etc. Thus when you see me you see my great grandfather also. Nagarjuna, a Buddhist philosopher said; “The ignorance that is the source of all suffering is the belief in svabhava (“own being”) and has been rendered intrinsic (inborn) existence and self nature.” The belief that everything exists autonomously, independently, and permanently. Nagarjuna thinks to hold on to this belief is to succumb to the extreme of permanence. However to believe that nothing exist is the extreme of annihilation. Nagarjuna states that, the true nature of reality is “Emptiness” and not the absence of existence but the absence of intrinsic existence. … Nagarjuna Britannica Online Encyclopedia.
section 7
ReplyDeleteWGU
Does John Searle's Chinese Room thought experiment persuade you that computers can't really think like humans? 234 Does the Turing Test show that they can?
Yes, the Chinese room illustrated the differences in how machines and humans operate, and showed me that machines simply simulate understanding in comparison to humans. The Turing test also shows that machines can't think like humans, because most robots in the tests who succeeded had to find a character to emulate to trick the participants. The robots were never truly as intelligent as humans.
Do you think it will ever be possible to transfer minds into computers? Would you want your mind "uploaded"? What could go wrong? 237
I think it could be possible in the far off future to possibly transfer or manifest someone's mind into a computer. But for the most part, I really doubt it would be possible to put someone's mind or consciousness into a machine. It would be possible to program a machine to have similar behavior or traits as a person, but I don't think you could actually upload someone's mind.
Inventory/ completion log
answered questions on:
jan 28
feb 11
feb 18
feb 25
march 2
march 9
march 23
march 25
march 30
april 1
posted midterm blog post march 30
Section 7
ReplyDeleteDo you think it will ever be possible to transfer minds into computers? Would you want your mind "uploaded"? What could go wrong? 237
I think it could be possible very far into the future. I guess I wouldn’t mind it since it couldn’t hurt anything. I don’t see how it is immortality though since to me it seems like it is only a copy of your mind and not your true self.
Do you think of growing up as "a matter of renouncing your hopes and dreams"? 1
I think it is not a matter of giving up your dreams, but of getting them to fit into reality. I know when I was little I wanted to be princess. Obviously, that can’t ever happen, but I still have other dreams that are possible if a bit toned down now.
Is travel necessary for growing up? 13-16
Yes, I think it is important to see other cultures and perspectives.
Log:
-Replied to Joshua Flowers on 3/25 post
-Replied to Pai Shan Ning on 3/25 post
-Replied to Jacob Malugin on 3/30 post
-Replied to Caitlin Warner on 3/30 post
-Replied Chloe Guzowski on 3/30 post
-Answered questions on 3/30 post
-Posted Midterm summary on 3/29
-Answered questions on 3/25 post
-Answered questions on 3/9 post
-Answered questions on 3/4 post
-Answered questions on 2/24 post
-Answered questions on 2/18 post
-Weekly Essay on 2/4 post
-Answered questions on 2/2 post
-Answered questions on 1/28 post
Prophetess Turner, Section 4:
ReplyDeleteDoes Rawls's "Veil of Ignorance" thought experiment help to clarify your ideas about justice and fairness?
It does!! I think that this idea of creating a world that promotes safety and equality with no idea of what your personal status will be is the wisest way to build a world. That way you aren't safe guarding certain aspects of society that you may have gained from in the past.
Do you think it will ever be possible to transfer minds into computers? Would you want your mind "uploaded"? What could go wrong? 237
ReplyDeleteAlthough it seems beyond strange and dystopian, I think it may be possible to one day transfer minds into computers. I think this technology is far in the future, but thinking about where technology is now compared to the early 1900’s is almost as insane. If this was to ever become a possibility, I do not think I would want my mind to be uploaded. Once you give away what’s in your brain you have nothing left. You would never be able to share something for the first time again as it would already be in a computer. In terms of what could go wrong, whatever is in your brain can be used against you. If you one time had a cynical thought of harming someone, you may be punished for this even if you were never intended to act on it.
Should we all "give up one or two luxuries" to help less fortunate people?240
I’m not sure if giving up certain luxuries all together is necessary, but more so sharing what you have with others. Instead of giving up eating out at restaurants, perhaps go less and use the remaining money to donate to a charity. Making a conscious effort to help the less fortunate is better than doing nothing at all. There are so many ways to help those in poverty. Money, food, and water are obvious, but things like medical supplies, clothing, bedding, and hygienic materials are just as necessary.
Section 4
Ash Warner Section 7
ReplyDeleteIs travel necessary for growing up?
I don’t think its necessary for growing up, but I do think it’s should be apart of growing up. When I was younger, we never really went anywhere and I had never really seen the world, but as I’ve gotten older, I’ve been able to travel and see the world for what it is. Its helped me learned about numerous different culture and types of people that has taught me not everyone is the same and not everyone is going to agree on certain things and that’s okay.
Is "species-ism" still too widely accepted? Is it species-ist to eat meat?
No its not speciest to eat meat. Its just apart of nature to be honest. When a lion is hunting down another animal, I’m pretty sure the last thing its thinking is if its speciest to eat the other animal, I’m pretty sure its just going to eat it because its hungry
Sydney Davis section 7
ReplyDeleteDo you agree that it takes courage to think for yourself? 11
I do agree that it takes courage to think or yourself. I feel like people think in a sort of hive mind ideology. In that if what the media says is right or how we should behave, then the majority are going to follow that route and make it to where others who against that way of thinking are weird or different. I believe that going against others requires courage, and if its something you think is right then you should follow what you think and what you believe to be true, it could be wrong, but I think its better to act on what you think and learn from it, then to follow blindly and not have an opinion or thought to yourself expressed.
Do you think it will ever be possible to transfer minds into computers? Would you want your mind "uploaded"? What could go wrong? 237
ReplyDeleteI really hope that we will not be able to transfer our minds into computers. That would be really dangerous, because now hackers could be able to access your thoughts and personal information, that would have been kept hidden in your mind. I would never want my mind to uploaded, because then it could be at risk of people hacking into my mind, like in 1984, it alludes to people being able to read others' mind. There is no privacy in that world, even in their own minds, and I wouldn't want that.
Do you agree that it takes courage to think for yourself? 11
Yes, it really does. Because sometimes your opinion will not be the popular choice, and if you try to voice your thoughts, you would be the only to support yourself. It takes courage to face all the backlash and the hardships from your thoughts. So yes, I would say that it takes courage to think for yourself.
Section 4
ReplyDeleteIs there any way to control the spread of "cockamamie ideas and outright falsehoods" on the Internet" 260
Social media needs to be truthful.They should have a section for real news and antoher section for crazy stories for fun.
Section 4
ReplyDeleteDo you think it will ever be possible to transfer minds into computers? Would you want your mind "uploaded"? What could go wrong?
I think that eventually technology will be able to do that and possibly even more then that. Personally though I would not want to have my mind uploaded cause I feel like after you have it uploaded anybody could do with your mind what they please. People could access and maybe even alter your memories and personality.
Do you think of growing up as "a matter of renouncing your hopes and dreams"?
I don't think as growing up as a matter of renouncing your hopes and dreams. Personally as I grew up I did not really know what I wanted to do until recently. I feel like that you don't renounce your dreams they just change or you add more to what you already strive to do.
In what ways do you think your parents' occupations influence the number of choices you'll be able to make in your life?
I feel like your parents occupations and how much money they make will all affect what you can do in your life at least early on education wise. Along with that if you can't get a good education then what that person strives to do may not be possible. Also if your trying to do what your parents do or get into that field also affects if you will or not.
Should we all "give up one or two luxuries" to help less fortunate people?
ReplyDeleteI think that depending on how financially fortunate someone is they should always make a contribution to the less fortunate. For example, I could give someone less fortunate some money I had that I was planning on using at a nice restaurant and just go home to a meal. Weather I gave him the money or not I still had a meal waiting for me on the other side which doesn’t hurt me that much, however for the man it makes all the difference in the world. Giving up a simple luxury to pay it forward can make all the difference in the world and I support these acts of kindness.