It is quite easy, I think, to define a program that "remembers" (stores and
later retrieves ( information.
It is slightly harder, but not altogether difficult, to write a program
that "learns" (alters its behavior based on prior inputs).
What though, is required to write a program that "knows" (has awareness or
access to information or knowledge)?
Does, for instance, the following program "know" anything about the data it
is processing?
if (pixel.red > 128) then {
// knows pixel.red is greater than 128
} else {
// knows pixel.red <= 128
}
If not, what else is required for knowledge?
Does the program behavior have to change based on the state of some
information? For example:
if (pixel.red > 128) then {
// knows pixel.red is greater than 128
doX();
} else {
// knows pixel.red <= 128
doY():
}
Or does the program have to possess some memory and enter a different state
based on the state of the information it processed?
if (pixel.red > 128) then {
// knows pixel.red is greater than 128
enterStateX():
} else {
// knows pixel.red <= 128
enterStateY();
}
Or is something else altogether needed to say the program knows?
If a program can be said to "know" something then can we also say it is
conscious of that thing?
Jason
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