can computers think

A detailed Summary of can computers think

For the third paper I intend to focus on the essay topic, Can Computers Think? I will analyze the claims of the Mechanist essay and show arguments against it by logically explaining why computers cannot think.

Without a doubt, computers have greatly developed since the 1970's and now have become essential in the daily lives of much of the world. They have come a long way from completing simple arithmetic to overcoming highly complex tasks. With such advances in technology, computers are replacing people in the workforce. The mechanist view argues that computers are intelligent like humans and therefore is the reason people could possibly lose their job to a computer. It is obvious that computers are more efficient at completing certain tasks with set rules and parameters, but to say that computers think is absurd. Thinking involves much more complicated matters then computers are capable of. There are limits and guidelines that computers must follow in order to complete any task. Without specific information on how to accomplish a job, a computer is useless. It does not have intelligence on the same level as a human mind, it cannot think. If a computer lacks information on!

a topic, it cannot obtain what it needs on

The mechanist further states that computers are capable learning and improving their performance. This was demonstrated in the game of chess. The computer is capable of storing previous moves and understanding what was successful; therefore, enhancing the performance in the game. Indeed this is true, but I feel that computers do not understand what they are doing. Understanding something requires thinking, and computers cannot think. They are merely programmed on what to do. The reason they are capable of increasing performance is because chess is a game of limits. There are strict rules and guidelines that must be followed. This can be programmed perfectly in a computer. Everything is straightforward. For every input there is an output and a computer is highly effective at arriving at a conclusion. Yet the computer can be programmed to conclude things falsely. It does not know which is correct; it is just producing results programmed. Computers lack understanding !

e to fulfill the assignment. It is reasonable to state that such factors that can influence a conclusion are not all programmed into a computer. It just is not possible. The computer cannot think on the same grounds as a human. It cannot think in any form. It simply carries out formulas and rules inputted by humans.

On the topic, Can Computers Think?, I have shown why I feel computers cannot think. This has been expressed by

Some common words found in the essay are:
, computers capable, human mind, capable thinking, computer lacks information, mechanist view, computer lacks, computers intelligent, thinking computers, lacks information, computer programmed, feel computers,

Approximate Word count = 956
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)

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