4/5/09

Philosophy and Computers

Philosophy 26 Instructors Jim Moor Carey Heckman Overview of Course The accomplishments of artificial intelligence research and the widespread use of computers raise many intriguing philosophical issues. In this course we will consider a variety of these questions such as: Could a computer ever think or even feel? How would we know it? In what sense, if any, are computers that produce novel artistic works really creative? Are our minds ultimately biological computers? What can artificial life tell us about the nature of life? Could nanotechnology create nanoscale robots that will treat us as prey? Should we prohibit people from becoming cyborgs with superhuman powers? Should robots ever have rights? Are there decisions that computers should never make? Should speech be regulated on the web? In what ways do computers threaten our privacy? To what extent should intellectual property laws be adapted to protect digital products? In this course we will examine both how computing helps us address some classic philosophical problems and how it raises new philosophical issues. The class will meet during the 11 period. Sometimes the course will also meet during the 11x-hour (noon on Tuesday). You are expected to keep up with the readings and to participate in the class discussions. Please do not use class time for e-mailing or playing on your computer. Several one-page papers and a Turing machine exercise will be assigned. Two somewhat longer papers will be assigned each about seven pages. A final short answer essay exam will be given at the end of the term. Discussing philosophical issues in the course with others is strongly encouraged. This is a good way to try out and Spring, 2009

4/5/09 refine ideas. Of course, the Dartmouth Honor Code is in effect and the work you turn in should be your own with citations where appropriate. Office hours are on Monday from 3:15 4:45 pm, but I can be reached easily by Blitz and would be happy to meet with you at other times. Please stop by if you need help with any aspect of the course. I encourage students with disabilities, including "invisible" disabilities like chronic diseases and learning disabilities, needing academic adjustments or accommodations to speak to me and give me a copy of the relevant accommodations form by the end of the second week of the term. All discussions will remain confidential, although the Director of Student Disabilities may be consulted if questions arise. Also, I realize that some students may wish to take part in religious observances during this academic term. Should you have a religious observance that conflicts with your participation in the course, please come speak with me before the end of the second week of the term to discuss appropriate accommodations.

Texts
Jack Copeland, Artificial Intelligence, Cambridge, Massachusetts: Blackwell 1993. (AI) John Haugeland, Mind Design II: Philosophy, Psychology, Artificial Intelligence, Cambridge, Massachusetts: MIT Press, 1997. (MD) Wendell Wallach and Colin Allen, Moral Machines, Oxford: Oxford University Press. 2009. (MM)

Blackboard and Baker Reserve

[B] Item found in Blackboard [R] Item found in Baker Reserve

Grades
Three one-page papers = 15% Turing Machine Project = 5% Longer Paper #1 = 30% Longer Paper #2 = 30% Final = 20%

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Schedule Overview Week 1:

March 30 April 1

Philosophy and AI
Introduction to Philosophy and Computing The Red Pill 1956 Dartmouth Summer Research Project on AI AI 1 Paradigm 1: Classical Artificial Intelligence AI 2

April 3

Week 2:
April 6

Alan Turing
Accomplishments in Early Artificial Intelligence Haugeland, What is Mind Design?, MD 1 The Turing Test Turing Computing Machinery and Intelligence, MD 2 AI 3 Turing Homepage: http://www.turing.org.uk/turing/ Evaluating the Turing Test Moor, "The Status and Future of the Turing Test" In Minds and Machines, Vol. 11, No. 1, February, 2001, [B]

April 8

April 10

Week 3:
April 13

Thinking and Computation

Turing Machines AI 4 Turing Time Discussion Sections

April 14

One pager on the Turing Test due April 13 by 5 pm

April 15

The Philosophical/AI Basis for Understanding in a Machine Dennett, True Believers: The Intentional Strategy and Why It Works MD 3 Minsky, A Framework for Representing Knowledge MD 5

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April 17

The Knowledge Objection to AI AI 5 Dreyfus, From Microworlds to Knowledge Representation: AI at an Impasse MD 6 Cyc Project Today http://www.cyc.com/

Week 4:
April 20

More Objections and Replies

The Chinese Room Objection to AI Searle, Minds, Brains, and Programs MD 7 AI 6 Optional Reading: Searle vs. Churchlands / Sc. American Debate [R] The Creativity Objection to AI Music by computer http://arts.ucsc.edu/faculty/cope/experiments.htm Painting by computer http://www.kurzweilcyberart.com M. Boden Computing and Creativity in Bynum and Moors The Digital Phoenix [R] Robert Plotnik Patent Law and Invention www.automatinginvention.com

April 22

April 24

Week 5:
April 27

Turing Machine Project Due

Yet More Objections and an AI Counter Move

The Consciousness Objection to AI AI 8 Lycan, Qualitative Experience in Machines in Bynum and Moors The Digital Phoenix [R] Discussion Sections On Objections

April 28

One pager due

April 29

The Free Will Objection to AI AI 7

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May 1

Week 6:
May 4

Paradigm 2: Connectionism AI 9,10 Smolensky, Connectionist Modeling: Neural Computation/Mental Connections, MD 9 Churchland, On the Nature of Theories: A Neurocomputational Perspective, MD 10 Medium Length Paper Due

Folk Psychology, Brains, and Robots

If Connectionism is Correct, What Are We? Fodor and Pylyshyn, Connectionism and Cognitive Architecture: A Critical Analysis, MD 12 Ramsey, Stich, and Garon, Connectionism, Eliminativism, and the Future of Folk Psychology, MD 13 Paradigm 3: Robotics Brooks, Intelligence without Representation, MD 15 Cinematic Reflections of Artificial Life Handout

May 6

May 8

Week 7:
May 11

Robots and Artificial Life

Could We Be Living in a Computer Simulation? http://www.simulation-argument.com/ Discussion Sections (11x) One pager due Is A-Life Possible? Langton, "Artificial Life" in Bodens Philosophy of Artificial Life [R] Boden, "Is Metabolism Necessary?" http://www3.oup.co.uk/phisci/hdb/Volume_50/Issue_02/ Alliksaar, "Metabolism in A-Life: Reply to Boden http://www3.oup.co.uk/phisci/hdb/Volume_52/Issue_01/

May 12

May 13

4/5/09 Optional Reading: Farmer and Belin, Artificial Life: The Coming Evolution [R]

Week 8:
May 18

AI From An Ethical Point of View

Should We Become Cyborgs? Moor, Should We Let Computers Get Under Our Skin? [B] The Limits of Computer Decision Making Moor, Are There Decisions Computers Should Never Make? [B] Can Robots be Ethical? Chapters 1 7 [MM]

May 20

May 22

Week 9:
May 25 May 27.

Robot Morality
No Class What are the Limits to Robot Morality? Chapters 8 11 [MM] Nanotechnology and the Future of Computing B. Joy "Why the Future Doesn't Need Us" http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/8.04/joy.html

May 29

Week 10: Singularity and Transhumanism?

June 1 The Distant Future of Computing?

June 6

Major Paper Due

Final Exam/Quiz (8 am)