Re: What Computationalism is and what it is *not*

From: Hal Finney <hal.domain.name.hidden>
Date: Fri, 2 Sep 2005 22:45:37 -0700 (PDT)

Bruno wrote:

> Of course the reversal result introduces ambiguity in expressions
> like "mental activity". That is why I sum up "comp" by YD + CT + AR.
> ("Yes doctor" + Church Thesis + Arithmetical realism).

But if "comp" is computationalism, that is the doctrine that our
mental processes can be modelled/reproduced by computational activity.
This would seem to correspond to Bruno's "Yes Doctor". That is, you
say "yes" to a doctor who wants to replace your mind with a computer,
at least if it is done carefully and correctly. If you believe in
computationalism, then you should believe that a computer could reproduce
and substitute for the activity of your mind. (Some people have qualms
about the details of the transfer process from the mind to the computer,
but they are often satisfied if the change is done slowly, perhaps one
neuron at a time.) Likewise if you would accept that your mind could
be substituted by a computer, you are a computationalist.

So where do the Church Thesis and Arithmetical realism come into play
as part of the DEFINITION of "comp"? I don't understand this.

Hal Finney
Received on Sat Sep 03 2005 - 02:37:32 PDT