Assignment 3 - Chinese Room Blog

Personally, I do not believe that machines can “understand” even if they can produce results that simulate understanding. I believe that anything that does not have a brain, made of tissue and functions through physical and chemical processes, cannot possibly “understand”. There are many complicated processes that make up the human brain and it would be nearly impossible, if not impossible, to completely recreate these processes to create a computer/robot that “understand”. Computers cannot “understand” because calculations and algorithms are used to come up with output, based on input. And, although I believe only humans and some creatures (mammals, birds, other semi-intelligent creatures) are capable of understanding, it could be argued that humans produce output by performing many complex algorithms and calculations in their brain, much like a computer does. From a young age, humans begin to develop “understanding” for a certain language. However, it could be said that as they are growing they are simply learning new rules and algorithms to determine how to answer questions. In a way, we are taking input, performing lots of calculations in our head, and then producing output. To me, “understanding” requires much more than rules and calculations. A mind, along with emotions, is needed to fully understand something. From my last statement, you could guess that I do not agree with “brains cause minds” and “actual human mental phenomena [are] dependent on actual physical-chemical properties of actual human brains”. These statements suggest that what I am doing right now is based on the laws of physics and some chemical processes. While I do not disagree with the fact that there are chemical processes and physics laws that are going as I type this right now, I do disagree with the idea that the mind and emotions are based on these laws. If the brain/mind were driven by physical and chemical processes, then free will would not be possible. Everything that happened in your life or that you have thought of would have been driven by complex physics and chemistry equations. 

I am currently taking an artificial intelligence course, and while I think it is a cool and interesting topic, I believe computers will never be able to “understand” the way a human does. Humans barely “understand” the inner machinations of the human mind/brain, so how are they going to write a computer program that makes a computer/machine “understand”. When a human tells a story, there are emotions, gestures, etc. that are used, to convey and understand the story. Even animals show understanding. For example, a dog is happy to see its owner when he arrives, but may not show the same feelings for a stranger (except for the case where the dog is really friendly). The dog “understands” who its owner is and who it isn’t and displays emotion, based on this understanding. I know I’m not a dog so I can really speak for them, but from my “understanding” and observations of dogs. This is what I believe and I guess arguments could be different depending on your definition of understanding.  The following definitions were found on dictionary.com and I do not think that any one of these, but  a combination of all of them, make up an accurate definition of understanding.  Seeing as computers do not have emotions, they cannot understand.

un·der·stand

[uhn-der-stand] 

un·der·stood, un·der·stand·ing.

 

verb (used with object)

1. to perceive the meaning of; grasp the idea of; comprehend: to understand Spanish; I didn't understand your question.

2. to be thoroughly familiar with; apprehend clearly the character, nature, or subtleties of: to understand a trade.

3. to assign a meaning to; interpret: He understood her suggestion as a complaint.

4. to grasp the significance, implications, or importance of: He does not understand responsibility.

5. to regard as firmly communicated; take as agreed or settled: I understand that you will repay this loan in 30 days.

6. to learn or hear: I understand that you are going out of town.

7. to accept as true; believe: I understand that you are trying to be truthful, but you are wrong.

8. to construe in a particular way: You are to understand the phrase literally.

9. to supply mentally (something that is not expressed).

verb (used without object)

10. to perceive what is meant; grasp the information conveyed: She told them about it in simple words, hoping they would understand.

11. to accept tolerantly or sympathetically: If you can't do it, I'll understand.

12. to have knowledge or background, as on a particular subject: He understands about boats.

13. to have a systematic interpretation or rationale, as in a field or area of knowledge: He can repeat every rule in the book, but he just doesn't understand.

This was a really interesting topic to talk about and see what others opinions of it are. This blog post represents my opinions. If you disagree with me, that’s fine, you are entitled to your own opinion, too.