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Philosophy Corner: Ontology by MatthewDBA2009-08-24 06:51:21
  A self-evidential event of the subjective ego by bitflipper2009-08-24 07:26:49
    Would be Descartes-esque. by krikkert2009-08-24 07:33:06
      Actually, I was thinking more of conditions that by bitflipper2009-08-24 07:38:07
        As with anything like this, we need a framework... by jdelphiki2009-08-24 08:02:09
          How about "adaptive behavior"? by bitflipper 2009-08-24 08:30:22
There are two advantages to such a defintion: first, we stop trying to poke into an unknowable self outside of our own selves; we need only look at what is exhibited and/or reported by these other presumed selves.

And, second, it draws a distinct line between thought and non-thought. A dog thinks. It seems to dream, sometimes, but, most importantly, it figures out how to change its behavior dependant on its situation. A fish thinks--albeit, not in a very sophisticated manner. However, fish can be trained to tkae food from a person's hand--koi and various cichlids are excellent examples. They also learn to avoid predators. They don't seem to have the greatest attention span, but they certainly seem to think in at least a limited degree. Most insects, however, do not seem to think; they do not adapt their behaviors according to their situations.

So, could adaptive behavior serve as the dividing line between beings that think and those that do not?
[ Reply ]
            That's an interesting approach. by MatthewDBA2009-08-24 08:34:59
              Perhaps it does by bitflipper2009-08-24 09:26:36
                How would you be able to tell by MatthewDBA2009-08-24 09:33:52
                  No, an external test is sufficient by bitflipper2009-08-24 09:47:07
                    I'm not as sure as you seem to be by MatthewDBA2009-08-24 09:59:26
                      Most programs are written deliberately to assist by bitflipper2009-08-24 10:47:04
                        You can determine whether another person by MatthewDBA2009-08-24 10:51:07
                          How is it absent? by bitflipper2009-08-24 11:16:26
                            I'm wondering if things like by MatthewDBA2009-08-24 11:28:16
                              But, again, would a conversation with a strong AI by bitflipper2009-08-24 11:52:24
                                One difference between by MatthewDBA2009-08-24 12:28:51
                                Yes, but, by market statistics, most people by bitflipper2009-08-24 13:11:20

 

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