Edouard Tahmizian had an interesting discussion with Richard Carrier about the metaphysical impossibility of libertarian free will. Our actions are aimed at fulfilling our desires; but where did our desires come from? Did we choose our desires, or simply discover that we had them? I offer two considerations below.
I just want to caution Carrier not to express doubts about the future possibilites of A.I. He doesn't think A.I. computers will be able to think and understand as human beings do. Hubert Dreyfus questioned whether computers could computate like we do, and A.I. has already exceeded his barriers. Dreyfus wrote a controversial book titled, "What Computers Can't Do" (1972) and a later edition, "What Computers Still Can't Do" (1992). He critiqued the foundational assumptions of early artificial intelligence (AI). My guess is that A.I. will continue to break though our arbitrary barriers.
I also think there aren't any choices that are completely equal, down to the millionth decimal. But if one does exist then A.I. computers could quite easily conclude the choice to be made is between equals, so it would easily choose one or the other options, just like we would when faced with such a choice between equals.
I just want to caution Carrier not to express doubts about the future possibilites of A.I. He doesn't think A.I. computers will be able to think and understand as human beings do. Hubert Dreyfus questioned whether computers could computate like we do, and A.I. has already exceeded his barriers. Dreyfus wrote a controversial book titled, "What Computers Can't Do" (1972) and a later edition, "What Computers Still Can't Do" (1992). He critiqued the foundational assumptions of early artificial intelligence (AI). My guess is that A.I. will continue to break though our arbitrary barriers.
I also think there aren't any choices that are completely equal, down to the millionth decimal. But if one does exist then A.I. computers could quite easily conclude the choice to be made is between equals, so it would easily choose one or the other options, just like we would when faced with such a choice between equals.
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