Philosophical Thoughts - Essay Example

Philosophy Thinkers, intellectuals and philosophers are regarded to be the brains of a social establishment as they look for exploring the natural and social phenomena existing in their environment, though an overwhelming majority of humans maintains least care of its existence. The distinction of this stratum of society is based on their outstanding capability of observing and perceiving the truthfulness of the natural objects by applying mental capacities and critically examining the realities of social and natural phenomena; the same characteristic of thinking and analyzing distinguishes human beings from all other creatures including animals, beasts, birds and even latest devised calculation and computation machines. Renowned twentieth century philosopher Alan N. Turing (1950) is of the opinion that digital computation systems render the lengthy and exhausting computation and calculation services far quicker than human brains, and thus they could challenge and surpass human brains in computation performance, even though these machines are unable to make analysis and draw out tangible measurements attributed to humans. The present paper aims to examine the fact, in the light of theoretical frameworks presented by Rene Descartes and A. M. Turing, that whether human made machines, digital computers, robots and androids have obtained the same level of thinking and reason in this era of technological revolution that is attributed and confined to human brain only or human brain certainly outclasses digital computers on the foundation of unique reasoning and deep thoughtfulness which the latest digital computers are unable to observe. The analyses will also be made in the light of Philip Dick’s novel Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep for accept of reject the hypothesis articulated by Turing (1950). Nature has blessed human beings with splendid mental capabilities, which have been turned out to be highly supportive for the establishment of their superiority over the fish of the water, beast of the jungle, pet of urban life and the bird of the sky. Hence, man keeps dominance over almost all creatures by dint of the innate mental characteristics and gifted intellect. Turing (1950) displays his reservations regarding the fast pace of developments being made in the world of technology, which not only have given birth to countless inventions and discoveries, but continuous sequence of these inventions may supersede human intellect as well. By this, according to him, people could rely upon machinery even for entering into learning process by ignoring the human teachers and instructors. (1950: 2-3) Since digital computers show much better performance than humans in calculations and answering very questions within few seconds, which human brain is unable to compute, students and professionals have more trust in them rather than their mentors and instructors. In addition, humans can make errors in giving very accurate answers to many questions, exact and correct replies have been recorded in these digital machines for fast and quick help while making analysis and estimations. Humans can make errors on the basis of deception made before them through incorrect information and sets of knowledge. On the contrary, machines could not be deceived altogether, and always provide the correct answer to the questions and queries. Turing has explained his hypothesis by giving example of the game between three persons sitting in different rooms, in which one person has to identify the gender, age and other physical features of the remaining two persons. Since in the game, at least one person tries to make the individual responsible for tracing the others to deviate from the right track through incorrect answers, and consequently the tracing person is often trapped in the game and fails to recognize the traits and characteristics of the other participants. However, neither computers nor androids can perform the creative work altogether, and thus are unable to produce something new or innovative out of their own. Consequently, they do not have any capability to write poetry or prose for the operating person. On the contrary, it is human brain that has been blessed with the abilities to produce, reproduce and recollect wide range of knowledge and information. Celebrated philosophers and theorists including Aristotle, Descartes, Machiavelli, Nietzsche, Locke, Kant, Hobbes and others have also pointed out towards the very reality that it is instinctive qualities of humans that pave the way towards understanding the realities of world. Famous French philosopher of 17th century Rene Descartes articulated the Natural Theory, according to which humans are born with the innate characteristics of comprehending with the phenomena existing all around them and develop views and opinions in the light of continuous observation and perception to accept or reject the validity of their personally established statements to explain the phenomena. Descartes emphatically lays stress upon the validity and value of natural human characteristics that play formidable role in the development of a personality. Eysenck (2004) argues that rational studies reveal that determinism and understanding to solve problems related to arithmetic as well as social problems may be directly linked to our genetic make-up.  The idea of inherited intelligence has now been shown to be only partially correct.  However, human traits and characteristics work mechanically to solve even the most complicated theorems and notions that are inexorable to combat with through human intellect. Modern biological determinism, suggests that behaviors are inherent and innate, resulting from the expression of genes. Controversy does arise, however, when one tries to examine the extent of genetic influence on human behavior. In his work under the title Meditation, Descartes iterates on the application of mental faculties for accepting the validity of a notion. He refutes the very idea of accepting some presumptions and propositions without analyzing their validity through intellectual capabilities and sound examinations. It is therefore, he lays stress upon the significance of doubtfulness about some specific belief. He is of the view that blind faith cannot make people understand the realities of life on the one hand and phenomena of nature on the other. His Meditations discusses his theory that certain false and unproved presumptions obtain the form of particular beliefs to which people imitate and follow blindly without submitting intellect and seeking proof altogether. Consequently, they are unable to explain the truthfulness of their faith as well as in convincing others whether they are moving towards the right direction or are going astray by blindly following some particular set of belief. He is of the opinion that critical appreciation of any natural phenomenon wide opens countless avenues of vigilance and knowledge to man. Hence, he lays stress upon the point that the nature offers man the evidence of the every existing object and it is his continuous contemplation based on his knowledge and mental capabilities to observe these objects through personal experience based on the principles of positivism. Knezek (1997) also submits the significance of human capabilities. (Meditation II) He is of the view that though it is not known that how many of our abilities and shortcomings are innate in nature and how many are acquired through our interactions with the environment, and this debate has been going on for centuries, yet the major influence of genes and exceptional mental abilities cannot be denied altogether. However, critical observation and sufficient evidence is extremely essential to reach a conclusion and establish a theoretical framework. Since human brain is a unique faculty in nature and texture, nothing can combat with it altogether, as well as no power can overcome it provided it is working in right direction on the concrete foundations of critical examination of the phenomena offered to man by Nature. Distinguished twentieth century American novelist Philip K. Dick (1968/2008) has also pointed out towards the same reality in his novel Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep, where he affirms the very statement that man made machines including androids and computers do not obtain the power to comprehend with the emotional, moral and logical principles, and keep on emphasizing the rule, regulations and principles encoded and recorded by humans for the accomplishment of some specific functions. The novel’s protagonist Rick Deckard experiences detracting from the prevailing social norms, cultural taboos and moral values after his encounter with the female android Rachael Rosen, who discourages Deckard from paying due heed to his professional duties and obligations without analyzing the consequences and outcomes of the piece of her advice. As a result, Deckard had to undergo grave consequences for complying with the instructions issued and monitored by the gynoid Rachael. Although he has witnessed in the very beginning that Rachael cannot display as much intelligence necessary to pass the test, yet he does not object to the accomplishments made by the Rosen Association for creating electric things like androids, gynoids and other relevant objects. Deckard conceals from his wife Iran that he owns electric sheep just to satisfy himself that he also possesses an animal like his prosperous neighbors. However, his passion declines subsequently as he realizes that there is great difference between a man made electric product and the naturally created product. “In front of him he distinguished a shadowy figure, motionless. ‘Wilbur Mercer! Is that you’? My God, he realized; its my shadow.” (Dick, 2008: 229) Hence, any creation having no sentiments and emotions cannot take the place of a live object, which acts, reacts, makes love and enter into mutual attachment even being an ordinary animal like sheep. The same is the theme of Turing’s thesis, which seeks inspiration from the works of great philosophers including Descartes and others. Descartes urges humans to contemplate into the beauties Nature offers to man, and thus acknowledge, admire and appreciate the wonders universe contains in its broad fold. He condemns the submitting nature of puppet like humans and motivates them to ponder on the facts of life and explore the creation and Creator of the universe at large. Descartes looks for observing of critical approach even to establish the belief in God. (Meditation III) To conclude, it becomes evident that Turing has emphatically pointed out towards an imperative reality of life and universe, where though he does not deny the effectiveness of the tremendous scientific achievements in the wake of technological revolution, yet he is justified in making argument that no artificial device, commodity or product could take the place of God-made articles including humans, fauna, flora, animals, birds and sea life etc. Dick (2008) also explores the same in his wonderful novel, in which he admits to state that even living in other planet like Mars outside the Earth cannot mitigate the value and significance of natural things and objects. Almost the same is the main theme of the philosopher Rene Descartes, who argues that since an intellectual applies his mind and have keen observation in order to seek truthfulness, knowledge, wisdom and vigilance, he can provide proper guidance to the humanity to follow the right path rather mere imitating blindly certain faith and cult without acknowledging the very fact about good and evil and right and wrong. His successor philosophers including Nietzsche, Hume, Kant, Locke and others invite the people to adopt a critical appreciation of each and every reality of life so that they could escape the darkness of ignorance and so called beliefs that may create fuss, tension, conflict and chaos in human societies. Thus, the researcher agrees with the argument made by theory articulated by Turing that mere display of performance could not be declared as the sign of excellence and productivity altogether as the artificial commodities and man made machines, computers, androids and other articles are offering. On the contrary, the natural tendencies and qualities including mental capabilities, intelligence, wisdom, foresight, sentiments and emotions are creative and productive in the real sense that make human life worth living, gorgeous, colorful and loveable. List of References: Descartes, Rene Meditations 2005 Retrieved from http://www.wright.edu/cola/descartes/meditation1.html Dick, Philip K. Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? Random House Publishing Group 2008 Eysenck, Hans. Biological Components of Personality 2004 Quoted in www.AllPsych.com Knezek, Malia. Nature vs. Nurture: The Miracle of Language, Exploring the Mind, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 1997 Retrieved from http://www.duke.edu/~pk10/EM.htm Thomas, Henry & Thomas, Dana Lee. Great Philosophers Bhavan’s Book University Bombay 1971 123-440 Read More