John Searle's Chinese Room Argument

A list of vocabulary flashcards summarizing key concepts from John Searle's Chinese Room argument and the associated discussions on artificial intelligence.

Chinese Room Argument

A thought experiment proposed by John Searle to argue that machines cannot possess genuine understanding or consciousness.

Strong AI

Artificial intelligence that is equivalent to human intelligence in terms of understanding and learning.

Weak AI

Artificial intelligence that mimics human behavior but lacks real understanding and cognitive abilities.

Mind-Body Problem

The philosophical question of how the mind relates to the physical body.

Physicalism

The view that the mind is physical and mental states are identical to brain states.

Dualism

The belief that the mind and body are separate substances; the mind is non-physical.

Dual Aspect Theory

The theory that while the brain is physical, it gives rise to non-physical mental phenomena.

Syntax

The structural rules that govern how symbols are arranged.

Semantics

The study of meaning in language; the content of what is being communicated.

Turing Test

A test to determine if a machine can exhibit intelligent behavior equivalent to, or indistinguishable from, that of a human.

Qualia

The subjective, qualitative aspects of conscious experience.

Consciousness

The state of being aware of and able to think and perceive one's surroundings.

Mimicry in AI

The act of simulating human responses without true understanding or cognition.

Semantic Understanding

The capacity to comprehend the meanings of words and sentences, as opposed to merely manipulating symbols.

Causal Powers

The inherent capabilities of an entity to cause change or effect in the world.

Thought Experiment

An imaginary scenario used to explore philosophical concepts and test intuitions.

Genuine Thinking

The ability to understand to the extent that one comprehends semantic content, rather than simply manipulating symbols.