Brent Meeker wrote: > 1Z wrote: > > > > Brent Meeker wrote: > > > >>1Z wrote: > ... > >>>If two systems differ counterfactually, they are not physically > >>>identical. > >> > >>I don't think I understand this either. > > > > > > Either that, or counterfactuallity is asupernatural phenomenon. > > > > > >>Computer programs contain if-then > >>statements which branch the process depending on the data input to the > >>program. > >> But there is no real distinction between data an program. > > > > > > There is a difference between data and process --i.e. running > > programme. > > I don't disagree, but I don't see what that has to do with programs having > if-thens. Given the program and the data, the process is only going down one > branch.
But that's not what makes it computation. What makes it computation is behaving differently for different data. > So when you talk about counterfactuals it must be because you are > considering other possible data as input. > > Standard computationalism says mentation (as an activity) > > is computation (as a process). It is a rare computationalist > > who think that a spool of tape gathering dust in a cupboardi > > is mentating. (Not much of a Yes Doctor). > > > > > >> So if you insist > >>that computed intelligence or consciousness depends on counterfactuals in > >>the > >>program that seems to me to be the same as insisting that the computation is > >>implemented in some way that divides it from input data, i.e. it is in an > >>environment. > > > > > > Well, it is divided -- by the programme/process distinction. > > That's the (program+data)/process distinction. But ISTM that without a > program/data distinction, counterfactuals are a distinction without a > difference. I am saying there is a programme/data distinction, which rests on the programme/process distinction. > Brent Meeker --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Everything List" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/everything-list -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
