In this lesson, we would be discussing Philosophy and Artificial Intelligence. Unlike any other written source of history, we also try to include some contributed ideas, disciplines, and viewpoints and are bound to leave some important topics to the curiosity of the reader. An interested reader can dig deeper into the history to understand the development of Artificial Intelligence. Meanwhile, here we try to provide a general framework to organize the series of questions, which played a crucial role in the development. Philosophy and Artificial Intelligence are broad knowledge systems, and it is impossible to touch every aspect of the subject. However, we will be brainstorming on four fundamental questions, which lead to the development of a new field of Artificial intelligence.
- Is it possible to use formal rules for deriving valid conclusions?
- How does the physical brain give rise to the phenomenon of the mind?
- What is the source of knowledge and from where does it come?
- How does knowledge prompt one to take action?
These four questions lead to the development of scientific reasoning and logic system. We will study each one of them in a chronological manner.
Aristotle’s Formal Logic and Reasoning:
Aristotle, a renowned philosopher from 384 to 322 BCE, made significant contributions to understanding the rational aspect of the mind. He introduced a well-defined framework of laws that governed proper reasoning. Aristotle’s approach involved the use of syllogisms, a form of logical argumentation, to systematically derive conclusions from initial premises. By employing this method, one could potentially generate conclusions in a mechanical and systematic manner based on established principles. Aristotle’s work laid the foundation for formalizing the rules of logic and reasoning, establishing a framework for logical thinking that has had a lasting impact on philosophy and intellectual inquiry. The work of Aristotle laid the foundation of scientific inquiries and lead to the development of the theory of logic. Ancient philosophers and mathematicians understood the power of Aristotle’s formal logic and reasoning and tried to answer many questions which were untouched earlier. In the same spirit, Roman Llull developed “Ars Magna” or “The Great Art”.
Ars Magna or The Great Art:
Ramon Llull, a prominent figure from approximately 1232 to 1315 CE, developed a notable system of reasoning known as Ars Magna or The Great Art, which he published in 1305. In his quest to implement this system practically, Llull devised a mechanical device consisting of interconnected paper wheels. These wheels could be manipulated and rotated to create various permutations, allowing for the exploration of different combinations and arrangements of concepts and ideas. Llull’s ingenious mechanical contraption aimed to facilitate and enhance the process of reasoning by enabling systematic and structured exploration of logical relationships. His innovative approach exemplified the early attempts to bridge the gap between logical reasoning and mechanical tools, paving the way for advancements in the field of computational logic and laying the foundation for future developments in automated reasoning systems.
The First Computing Machine: Da Vinci’s Mechanical Calculator
During the early 1500s, the visionary artist and inventor Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519) conceived the design of a mechanical calculator; although he did not construct it himself, recent reconstructions have confirmed its functional viability. It was not until around 1623 that the first known calculating machine was built by the German scientist Wilhelm Schickard (1592-1635). Further advancements in this field were made by Blaise Pascal (1623-1662) when he developed the Pascaline in 1642. Pascal described his invention as capable of producing effects that seemed closer to thought than the actions of animals. In the pursuit of computational innovation, Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz (1646-1716) constructed a mechanical device intended to operate on abstract concepts rather than mere numbers. However, the device’s functionality was relatively limited in scope. These pioneering endeavors mark significant milestones in the history of mechanical calculation, setting the stage for subsequent advancements in the realm of computing.
The Idea of an “Artificial Animal”
In his book “Leviathan” published in 1651, Thomas Hobbes (1588-1679) put forward the concept of a thinking machine, which he referred to as an “artificial animal.” He drew parallels between the functioning of the human body and the mechanics of machines, stating that the heart could be likened to a spring, nerves to strings, and joints to wheels. Hobbes further proposed that the process of reasoning shared similarities with numerical computation, equating “reason” to a form of “reckoning” involving addition and subtraction. By drawing these comparisons, Hobbes aimed to illustrate the mechanical nature of both the human body and the cognitive processes underlying reasoning. His ideas laid the groundwork for exploring the relationship between machines and human thought, contributing to the development of early philosophical notions regarding artificial intelligence.
Dualism vs Materialism:
Rene Descartes (1596-1650) provided an influential and articulate discussion on the distinction between the mind and matter. He recognized that a purely physical understanding of the mind appeared to undermine the concept of free will. If the mind were solely governed by physical laws, it would possess no more freedom of choice than an inanimate object like a falling rock. Descartes embraced a philosophical position known as dualism, asserting that within the human mind (soul or spirit) exists a realm beyond the constraints of nature and exempt from the deterministic grip of physical laws. In contrast, Descartes viewed animals as lacking this dual quality and thus treatable as mechanical entities devoid of the same level of metaphysical autonomy. Descartes’ ideas have significantly influenced the ongoing philosophical exploration of the mind-body problem and the nature of consciousness.
Materialism presents an alternative perspective to dualism, asserting that the mind is a product of the brain’s functioning in accordance with the laws of physics. According to this viewpoint, free will can be understood as the subjective experience of perceiving available choices from the perspective of the decision-making entity. In addition to materialism, the terms physicalism and naturalism are often employed to describe this perspective, which rejects the notion of the supernatural and emphasizes the inherent connection between the mind and the physical processes of the brain. This contrasting viewpoint challenges the existence of a distinct metaphysical entity separate from the physical realm and offers a framework that seeks to explain the mind purely in terms of natural phenomena.
These observations and inquiries about the brain and mind lead to further questions of knowledge representation, source of knowledge, and knowledge manipulation. We will study further development in Philosophy and Artificial Intelligence. You may also like reading more about the role of other subjects in the development of Artificial intelligence. Read about AI & Neuroscience, AI & Economics, AI & Control Theory, AI & Mathematics, AI & Statistics. If you’re interested in knowing more about the connection between philosophy and artificial intelligence, click here.
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