In this age of technology, the mind is compared to the computer, why the metaphor of a computer is given to the human mind? Is it because it is too complex like a computer processor or is it because of its functions, how they work? The answer is here. It all starts with #Descartes #Substance dualism theory. Descartes says that the human mind is made of two substances- physical stuff and immaterial stuff. Immaterial stuff could not be traced by scientists. This immaterial substance affects the physical stuff of the body. For example, I know something about Substance theory and it leads me to post this on Facebook. Well, the answer to the question of how this immaterial substance causes an effect on physical movement is still unanswered. So, the functional theory suggests that one should look at the functionality of the mind instead of what it is made of.
The mind is a complex thing. It is made of something and what it does is entirely different. Similar to a computer, a computer is made of stuff like metal, other hardware, etc. but what it does; the programming is different than the material it is made of. This is one reason for the metaphor of the computer mind.
Nowadays computer is replacing the human mind. Machines are able to do what the human mind can. Contemporary computer philosophy has some interesting experiments to go through. Alan Turing’s #Turing_test in which, the same questions are asked to humans and computers to distinguish them, Searle’s experiment of the #Chinese_room is the best way to understand how a computer works. How it gets Input and output of the answer.
If you have any idea why the human mind is compared to the computer. Share your thoughts.
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