Kurzweil on the Question of Machines Having Souls

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Tyler

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Kurzweil on the Question of Machines Having Souls
« on: December 03, 2008, 10:52:02 pm »
Kurzweil on the Question of Machines Having Souls
     


In a recent silicon.com
interview with Ray Kurzweil, the question of whether or not machines
will ever have souls came up. The interviewer didn't define what was
meant by soul, so Kurzweil gives his
definition as part of the answer. He suggests that "soul" is a
synonym for consciousness. So the question really is, will machines ever
be conscious. He believes consciousness is an emergent
property; "Brain science is instructive there as we look inside the
brain, and we've now looked at it in exquisite detail, you don't see
anything that can be identified as a soul - there's just a lot of
neurons and they're complicated but there's no consciousness to be seen.
Therefore it's an emerging property of a very complex system that can
reflect on itself. And if you were to create a system that had similar
properties, similar level of complexity it would therefore have the same
emerging property." He also predicts that, over time, humans will
have more and more machine parts until the distinction between robots
and humans becomes "all mixed up". He goes on to answer questions about
why AI researchers are using the human brain as a model for
intelligence, whether there are jobs machine will not be able to do
better than humans, and what the downsides to advanced technology is.
   

http://robots.net/article/2705.html
     

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Freddy

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Re: Kurzweil on the Question of Machines Having Souls
« Reply #1 on: December 04, 2008, 02:03:23 pm »
I wonder if Mr K has been reading the posts here...some of his ideas are very similar to those expressed here in the past.   ;)

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Maviarab

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Re: Kurzweil on the Question of Machines Having Souls
« Reply #2 on: December 04, 2008, 02:12:30 pm »
Should hope so, we have his link on the links page for over 2 years now :)

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Art

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Re: Kurzweil on the Question of Machines Having Souls
« Reply #3 on: December 06, 2008, 02:27:57 am »
Yes but that experiment is somewhat akin to opening up and looking at Einsteins brain then
trying to label the Math part and the Music part and the History part and so on....

Just because it doesn't jump in your face and scream Here I am, doesn't mean it doean't
exist.

We humans think we have a soul or consciousness, then do not dogs, cats, animals also have
a consciousness? I should think so.

Machines, cars, drill presses, lathes, welders, etc. do not have a consciousness. They simply
do that for which they were intended...nothing more...nothing creative...nothing self motivated.

A computer with appropriate software could conceivably be creative, act autonomously, come
up with solutions, be entertaining and conversant. In time would it become self aware?
Perhaps.

We'll have to wait and see....
In the world of AI, it's the thought that counts!

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Freddy

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Re: Kurzweil on the Question of Machines Having Souls
« Reply #4 on: December 06, 2008, 01:01:22 pm »
Yes, I am sceptical too.  I find that kind of idea a little on the whacky side.  Next he will be telling us machines get reincarnated or something.

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Maviarab

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Re: Kurzweil on the Question of Machines Having Souls
« Reply #5 on: December 06, 2008, 09:34:56 pm »
You skeptic Freddy....open your damn eyes man...

Last year...my favourite little yellow toaster came to the end of his wonderful little warm toasting days.

With a heavy heart and a tear in my eye, I took him to the great machine graveyard (bin).

The next day, I went to the shop to get a new toaster...and guess what?????

There was my little yellow toaster :)

Ohhh how we have enjoyed our time together again hehe  ;D

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Freddy

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Re: Kurzweil on the Question of Machines Having Souls
« Reply #6 on: December 06, 2008, 10:18:33 pm »
 :'(  I repent, that's such a heart warming tale, I can't describe my shame...may he toast forever in machine heaven...


Sniff sniff....shorry....

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Art

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Re: Kurzweil on the Question of Machines Having Souls
« Reply #7 on: December 07, 2008, 04:12:54 pm »
Aha! Was it really YOUR little yellow toaster or another one that simply LOOKED like it?

One can never be too sure when it comes to such culinery creators!

You story, however did leave me with a warm, fuzzy, burnt feeling!  ;D
In the world of AI, it's the thought that counts!

 


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