Problem Set 04
The Chinese Room Thought Experiment
In preparation for answering this problem, conduct the following online activities:
- Have a conversation with ELIZA. [Here is the original paper about ELIZA. (optional)]
- Have a conversation with Jabberwacky.
- Have a conversation with one of Google's Bots.
In a long essay, i) briefly explain the Chinese Room Thought Experiment and ii) contrast your conversations and explain whether and how the Chinese Room Thought Experiment should have any bearing on your perception of understanding (or not, as the case may be) from the various bots. In light of your conversations, does the Chinese Room Thought Experiment succeed in showing the Turing Test too weak? That is, would it be a mistake to think a machine that passes the Turing Test understands the conversations it's having. Why or why not? Finally, in considering Boden, Block, Dretske, and Dennett's replies to the Chinese Room Thought Experiment, which one do you think is the most convincing or at least the most promising? (50)