Mike Tintner wrote:
Er nonsense to you too. :}
Part of my asserting myself boldly here, was to say: look, I may be a
schmuck on AI but I know a lot, here (& in fact I'll stand by the rest
of my claims, - although if you guys can't recognize, for example, that
free thinking opens up a new dimension on free will, then there's
probably no point).
Consciousness Explained ... publ. 1991.
Crick's statements - 1991, Sci Am article... 1992
David Chalmers.. The Conscious Mind... Amazon gives me 1998, but it may
have been 1996 - when the consciousness studies wave was already starting.
Dennett and Crick were way ahead of the game and Chalmers, historically.
(In fact, Crick was almost certainly the crucial figure). Sure,
Consciousness Explained was attacked, though still influential.
My point is a historical/ sociological one - not an evaluative one. And
therefore I am perfectly entitled to make my future prediction about the
sociological/ scientific significance of Freedom Evolves - I could, of
course, prove totally wrong. But it's a point worth considering - IF
you're interested in how culture and science are changing. And note
that Dennett was even historically ahead if only just, of The God
Delusion, with Breaking the Spell.
(Oh, and even evaluatively, Dennett, I would argue, is the leading
scientfic, i.e. pro-science, philosopher in the world. Chalmers'
credentials in that respect are more dubious - not that I'm endorsing
Dennett by any means).
I have no interest in what dates people came out with their books, I am
only interested in the content of their ideas and the influence they
have had on the research community. Dennett produced a muddle. Crick
came out with an idea that tried to look scientific but was a sham.
Chalmers, for all his faults, shed a clarifying light on the whole
situation and has been justly lauded for having done so. By writing
what he did, he put Dennett and Crick in perspective.
But these philosophy debates can get even more exhausting than AGI ones:
I am happy to accept that you have a different opinion on the matter,
and leave it at that.
Richard Loosemore.
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