Minds and Computers: An Introduction to the Philosophy of Artificial Intelligence by Matt Carter

by Matt Carter

Could a computer have a mind? What kind of machine would this be? Exactly what do we mean by "mind" anyway?The notion of the "intelligent'"machine, while continuing to feature in numerous entertaining and frightening fictions, has also been the focus of a serious and dedicated research tradition. Reflecting on these fictions, and on the research tradition that pursues "Artificial Intelligence", raises a number of vexing philosophical issues. Minds and Computers introduces readers to these issues by offering an engaging, coherent, and highly approachable interdisciplinary introduction to the Philosophy of Artificial Intelligence.Readers are presented with introductory material from each of the disciplines which constitute Cognitive Philosophy, Neuroscience, Psychology, Computer Science, and Linguistics. Throughout, readers are encouraged to consider the implications of this disparate and wide-ranging material for the possibility of developing machines with minds. And they can expect to develop a foundation for philosophically responsible engagement with A.I., a sound understanding of Philosophy of Mind and of computational theory, and a good feel for cross-disciplinary analysis.*A solid foundation in the Philosophy of Mind*A broadly interdisciplinary purview*A directed philosophical focus*A clear and accessible explanation of technical material with abundant exercises*A glossary of terms

Genres: Philosophy, Artificial Intelligence, Computer Science, Science, Nonfiction, Technology, Psychology

Hardcover

First published January 1, 2007

About the author

Matt Carter, PhD, is currently Assistant Professor of Biology at Williams College. His previous position was as a post-doctoral fellow in Richard Palmiter’s lab at the University of Washington using optogenetic techniques to study neural circuitry. He has authored the first edition of this book (Elsevier, 2009) as well as Designing Science Presentations: A Visual Guide to Figures, Papers, Slides, Posters, and More (Elsevier, 2012). He was the awardee of Stanford University’s Walter J. Gores Award for Excellence in Teaching, and two-time recipient of the Stanford School of Medicine’s Excellence in Teaching Award. He currently teaches courses at Williams in both Topics in Neuroscience as well as Neural Systems and Circuits.

Reviews

[Seyed · Rating 2 out of 5]

A bit shallow and covers too much ground in too few pages. Not sure who it is aimed at (undergrads with too little time?).

[Anastasiia Skuba · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite superficial, but engaging to read.

[Michal Paszkiewicz · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very easy-to-read introduction to philosophy of AI, but was concise enough to surprise me even though I have already read other books of a similar vein. The book spans topics from logic to neuroscience and provides great explanations that should be readable to anyone who can read. The author writes without displaying much sign of bias, which is rare in books covering the topic of AI.