Seeing into the future

[Mr Spinkles]

I dont' think that's the case. A machine doesn't contradict itself the same way we can. It analyzes and calculates variables until it reaches its ultimate conclusion. I cannot see how conflicting urges, desires, and will can reflect the processes of a machine. The machine is harmonious, whereas we aren't.

That's because intelligent beings (humans) designed machines to be harmonious (why would I program a machine to want conflicting things?)....we humans, on the other hand, are the products of millions of years of clumsy, unintelligent evolution. In any case, you have yet to demonstrate that the existence of conflicting desires within us constitutes free will....heck, even the Earth feels many forces acting upon it....but the Earth doesn't "choose" a path to follow, it simply acts according to the net force it experiences.

But perhaps the free will debate is the subject of another thread....

I agree with Spinks.

No you don't. Trust me.

 

[Scuba Pete]

Yes I do... I think that our desires control us FAR more than we can imagine or admit.

 

[No*s]

That's because intelligent beings (humans) designed machines to be harmonious (why would I program a machine to want conflicting things?)....we humans, on the other hand, are the products of millions of years of clumsy, unintelligent evolution. In any case, you have yet to demonstrate that the existence of conflicting desires within us constitutes free will....heck, even the Earth feels many forces acting upon it....but the Earth doesn't "choose" a path to follow, it simply acts according to the net force it experiences.

But perhaps the free will debate is the subject of another thread....

It probably is. We aren't necessarily talking about the supercomputer anymore

 

[Nick Soapdish]

Spinkles,

It is an interesting mind game but there are two problems, one pointed out by No*s, and one that you have pointed out.

1. The computer program would be stuck in an infinite loop.

2. Heisemberg's Uncertainty Principle

I might agree with you if your reasoning has something to do with the random nature of quantum physics...but I think your problem here has to do with free will.

Why should we regard quantum physics and free will as unrelated? Many of the hot new theories of consciousness are very much involved at the quantum level.

Also, you may be interested in reading Roger Penrose's work on the non-computability of the human mind. Here are some slides of his ideas: http://www.stat.psu.edu/news/conferences/Penrose/