Single Idea 3206

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

Full Idea

It is always possible to provide incompatible interpretations of formal theories, so that a computer could use the same program one day to play chess, the next to fight a war.

Gist of Idea

One computer program could either play chess or fight a war

Source

Georges Rey (Contemporary Philosophy of Mind [1997], 9.1.3)

Book Reference

Rey,Georges: 'Contemporary Philosophy of Mind' [Blackwell 1997], p.241


A Reaction

This seems to present a huge gulf between human chess players (who 'understand' what they are doing) and machines, but I don't accept it. Giving the machine cameras and multi-level software would fix it.