Androids and the Mind/body Problem

1. From your reading of Hasker, and using the categories he uses, what view of the mind/body problem do you think is exhibited by Picard? By Maddox? Support your answer.

After reading the text I believe that Picard has a materialistic outlook, and Maddox has dualistic view of Data. Data is a part of Picard’s crew, so Picard believes Data makes conscious decision on his own and has feelings like the other crew members. Thus meaning that Picard views Data as having a body and mind as one entity. On the other hand Mattox believe the body and mind are separate. Maddox also believes that you must be intelligent, self-aware, and conscious to be considered a human. Maddox’s argument about Data is that he does not have a brain only a computer.

1. Maddox lists three criteria for a being to be sentient: intelligence, self-awareness, and consciousness. Are these adequate? Can you think of other properties or characteristics a being needs to have in order to be considered a “person?” What might they be?

Of the three criteria listed I believe that sums up a human being. Every person man and woman possess all of those traits and they coincide with one another to make up a human. I would have to argue that there would not be another trait to correspond with the three already known.

1. Do you think that artificial intelligence to the level as it is presented in the story will someday be possible? Why or why not?

Absolutely I believe in the future there with be artificial intelligence such as in the story. For example now many of us use Iphone’s which has a program called Siri. Siri is basically a form of artificial intelligence the program learns and adapts to personal habits and commands. There are also robotics companies developing moving and adapting machines. For the artificial intelligence to learn all it needs to do its pull limitless information from the internet

1. Do you think Maddox is right when he claims that Picard is being “irrational and emotional” in his view of Data?

In this case I would certainly have to side with Maddox because Data is simply just a machine. We let the appearance of Data fool us because he has all the physical characteristics of a person. As shown in the episode though his arm was detachable and Data could shut down by the simple push of a button. The concept of Data being able to learn and adapt to his surroundings is great, but that is what he was built and programmed to do. I can understand why Picard had become attached emotionally because that is what we as humans do. We show compassion and attachment to those we interact with on a regular basis. Picard must remember though Data is only a machine and with never be anything more. Just because Data looks human from the outside is what deceives Picard.