Machines and Intelligence: A Critique of Arguments Against the Possibility of Artificial Intelligence

Over the years numerous attempts have been made to show that human intelligence is related to some quality, feature, or ability that machines cannot possibly have. In this unique study, Dr, Goldkind reconstructs and analyzes the principal arguments of this kind that have not received adequate treatment in the past and responds to each of them in detail. Among the questions explored are whether machines can engage in purposive behavior, what the relationship is between causal and purposive explanations of behavior, whether machines are capable of human error, and whether they can perform activities and functions such as natural language understanding and dealing with contexts. Dr. Goldkind concludes that none of the arguments succeeds in proving that machines must lack the specific abilities or qualities that are posited as uniquely human.