more from John Searle

Single Idea 3501

[catalogued under 17. Mind and Body / C. Functionalism / 8. Functionalism critique]

Full Idea

If the brain is a digital computer, we are still faced with the question 'Who is the user?'

Gist of Idea

If we are computers, who is the user?

Source

John Searle (The Rediscovery of the Mind [1992], Ch. 9.VI)

Book Reference

Searle,John R.: 'The Rediscovery of the Mind' [MIT 1999], p.214


A Reaction

A very nice question. Our whole current concept of a computer involves the unmentioned user. We don't have to go all mystical about persons, though. Robots aren't logically impossible.