(May 20, 2009 at 2:39 pm)infidel666 Wrote: All I am saying is that if we have free will, then so does a chess computer AI that has the ability to learn to play different opponents based on feedback from playing those different opponents. It makes "choices" too.
Quite possibly.
(May 20, 2009 at 2:39 pm)infidel666 Wrote: Do you think that a learning chess computer AI has "free will?" If not, why not?
I doubt it because we pretty much know how it works given that we created it but I concede there may be enough randomisation to give the appearance of some kind of freewill. It's a but like the argument I use when people say robots will never have free will ... I adopt a Turing test style approach and say that regardless of how it is programmed if it appears to have free will then it probably does (at least what we consider to be free will ... the kind I am not convinced exists).
(May 20, 2009 at 2:39 pm)infidel666 Wrote: Do animals have free will?
Inasmuch as we have yes, I believe so.
(May 20, 2009 at 2:39 pm)infidel666 Wrote: Does free will require sentience?
(May 20, 2009 at 2:39 pm)infidel666 Wrote: Does free will require life?
As in organic? See above ... I believe that one day AI will replace us or merge with us (it's already happening if you think about it).
(May 20, 2009 at 2:39 pm)infidel666 Wrote: What is sentience?
The illusion of free will perhaps, self awareness maybe.
(May 20, 2009 at 2:39 pm)infidel666 Wrote: What is life?
One website (Kate Hillard) gives 6 characteristics of life: cells, , organization, energy use, homeostasis, growth & reproduction.
I'd agree except I wouldn't specify cells, I'd say cells or something that carrions out an equivalent function.
(May 20, 2009 at 2:39 pm)infidel666 Wrote: What makes humans so special?
We are special but only to us (IOW nothing).
(May 20, 2009 at 2:39 pm)infidel666 Wrote: Is it a soul?
No.
(May 20, 2009 at 2:39 pm)infidel666 Wrote: How is it possible to believe in "free will" without engaging in a bit of "magical thinking?"
Free will is an assumption.
(May 20, 2009 at 2:39 pm)infidel666 Wrote: What is your definition of free will and who or what has it?
I'm in Ev's camp
Kyu
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Where those who are hacked off with the stupidity of irrational belief can vent their feelings!
Come over to the dark side, we have cookies!
Kyuuketsuki, AngryAtheism Owner & Administrator
