Mind and mechanism / Drew McDermott.

Format:

• Book

Author/Creator:

• McDermott, Drew V., author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

• Artificial intelligence.
• Computational neuroscience.
• Mind and body.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (xiii, 262 pages) : illustrations

Other Title:

MIT Press CogNet.

Place of Publication:

Cambridge, Massachusetts : The MIT Press, [2001]

System Details:

text file

Summary:

In Mind and Mechanism, Drew McDermott takes a computational approach to the mind-body problem (how it is that a purely physical entity, the brain, can have experiences). He begins by demonstrating the falseness of dualist approaches, which separate the physical and mental realms. He then surveys what has been accomplished in artificial intelligence, clearly differentiating what we know how to build from what we can imagine building. McDermott then details a computational theory of consciousness -- claiming that the mind can be modeled entirely in terms of computation -- and deals with various possible objections. He also discusses cultural consequences of the theory, including its impact on religion and ethics.

Contents:

• 1 The Problem of Phenomenal Consciousness 1
• 2 Artificial Intelligence 29
• 3 A Computational Theory of Consciousness 93
• 4 Objections and Replies 137
• 5 Symbols and Semantics 167
• 6 Consequences 215.

Notes:

• "A Bradford book."
• Includes bibliographical references (pages 249-257) and index.
• Description based on print version record.

Other Format:

Print version: McDermott, Drew V. Mind and mechanism.

ISBN:

• 9780262256650
• 0262256657

Access Restriction:

Restricted for use by site license.