Brent Meeker wrote:
> 1Z wrote:
> >
> > Brent Meeker wrote:
> >
> >>1Z wrote:
> ...
> >>>If two systems differ counterfactually, they are not physically
> >>>identical.
> >>
> >>I don't think I understand this either.
> >
> >
> > Either that, or counterfactuallity is asupernatural phenomenon.
> >
> >
> >>Computer programs contain if-then
> >>statements which branch the process depending on the data input to the program.
> >> But there is no real distinction between data an program.
> >
> >
> > There is a difference between data and process --i.e. running
> > programme.
>
> I don't disagree, but I don't see what that has to do with programs having
> if-thens. Given the program and the data, the process is only going down one
> branch.
But that's not what makes it computation. What makes
it computation is behaving differently for different data.
> So when you talk about counterfactuals it must be because you are
> considering other possible data as input.
> > Standard computationalism says mentation (as an activity)
> > is computation (as a process). It is a rare computationalist
> > who think that a spool of tape gathering dust in a cupboardi
> > is mentating. (Not much of a Yes Doctor).
> >
> >
> >> So if you insist
> >>that computed intelligence or consciousness depends on counterfactuals in the
> >>program that seems to me to be the same as insisting that the computation is
> >>implemented in some way that divides it from input data, i.e. it is in an
> >>environment.
> >
> >
> > Well, it is divided -- by the programme/process distinction.
>
> That's the (program+data)/process distinction. But ISTM that without a
> program/data distinction, counterfactuals are a distinction without a difference.
I am saying there is a programme/data distinction, which rests on
the programme/process distinction.
> Brent Meeker
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Received on Fri Aug 18 2006 - 16:21:09 PDT