Cogprints

Reaping the Whirlwind

Hauser, L (1993) Reaping the Whirlwind. [Journal (Paginated)]

Full text available as:

[img] HTML
65Kb

Abstract

Harnad's proposed "robotic upgrade" of Turing's Test (TT), from a test of linguistic capacity alone to a Total Turing Test (TTT) of linguistic and sensorimotor capacity, conflicts with his claim that no behavioral test provides even probable warrant for attributions of thought because there is "no evidence" [p.45] of consciousness besides "private experience" [p.52]. Intuitive, scientific, and philosophical considerations Harnad offers in favor of his proposed upgrade are unconvincing. I agree with Harnad that distinguishing real from "as if" thought on the basis of (presence or lack of) consciousness (thus rejecting Turing (behavioral) testing as sufficient warrant for mental attribution) has the skeptical consequence Harnad accepts -- "there is in fact no evidence for me that anyone else but me has a mind" [p.45]. I disagree with his acceptance of it! It would be better to give up the neo-Cartesian "faith" [p.52] in private conscious experience underlying Harnad's allegiance to Searle's controversial Chinese Room "Experiment" than give up all claim to know others think. It would be better to allow that (passing) Turing's Test evidences -- even strongly evidences -- thought.

Item Type:Journal (Paginated)
Subjects:Philosophy > Philosophy of Language
Philosophy > Philosophy of Mind
ID Code:241
Deposited By: Hauser, Larry
Deposited On:24 Feb 1998
Last Modified:11 Mar 2011 08:53

Metadata

Repository Staff Only: item control page