Description
Book SynopsisWinner of the 2022 CHOICE Outstanding Academic TitlesThis book surveys and examines the most famous philosophical arguments against building a machine with human-level intelligence. From claims and counter-claims about the ability to implement consciousness, rationality, and meaning, to arguments about cognitive architecture, the book presents a vivid history of the clash between the philosophy and AI. Tellingly, the AI Wars are mostly quiet now. Explaining this crucial fact opens new paths to understanding the current resurgence AI (especially, deep learning AI and robotics), what happens when philosophy meets science, and the role of philosophy in the culture in which it is embedded. Organising the arguments into four core topics - ''Is AI possible'', ''Architectures of the Mind'', ''Mental Semantics and Mental Symbols'' and ''Rationality and Creativity'' - this book shows the debate that played out between the philosophers on both sides of the question, and, as well, the d
Trade ReviewThe book resembles a buffet meal offering many appealing individual pieces ... [and] makes philosophical arguments on AI accessible to non-philosophers—itself an important accomplishment. * CHOICE *
An extraordinary book that does what scientists all too often don't do: highlight what is still unknown and lay the foundations for future development of a discipline. A must-read for both students and the experts of AI. * Riccardo Manzotti, Professor of Philosophy, IULM University, Milan, Italy *
The promise and threat of artificial intelligence has sharpened debate on the nature of mind, morality, selfhood, intelligence and consciousness.
Great Philosophical Objections to Artificial Intelligence deftly presents the recent history of this debate, from Turing to today, with engaging explanations of the technical issues, key insights, current stalemates, and the impact of advances in cognitive neuroscience. * Donald D. Hoffman, Professor Emeritus of Cognitive Science, University of California, Irvine, USA *
This book cuts an accessible and engaging trail through the past 70 years of philosophical contention over the very possibility of artificial intelligence (AI) and some of its implications. It hits the sweet spot of providing a wonderful resource for the student and practitioner of the philosophy of AI and its recent history, while also giving a general audience a window into how philosophy works. The AI wars have evolved; we may have moved on from some battle lines, but understanding how they were fought enriches our mental repertoire and arms us with tools that will help us tackle new fronts in our struggle to come to terms with AI. * Clayton T. Morrison, Associate Professor in the School of Information, University of Arizona, USA *
Table of ContentsList of Figures Prologue: The AI Wars and Beyond
Part I. The AI Wars Introduction The First War: Is AI Even Possible? 1. Gödel and Foundational Objections to AI 2. How Would We Know If a Computer Was Intelligent? The Turing Test is Not the Answer The Second War: Architectures of the Mind 3. How Computer Science Saved the Mind 4. Implementing an Intelligence The Third War: Mental Semantics and Mental Symbols 5. The Strange Case of the Missing Meaning: Can Computers Think About Things? The Fourth War: The Frame Problem: Rationality and Creativity 6. What is Relevant to What?: The Frame Problem
Part II. Beyond the AI Wars: Issues for Today Introduction 7. What about Consciousness? 8. Ethical Issues Surrounding AI Applications 9. Could Embodied AIs be Ethical Agents Notes Bibliography Index
