Guilty Robots, Happy Dogs

The Question of Alien Minds

Nonfiction, Health & Well Being, Psychology, Cognitive Psychology, Computers, General Computing, Religion & Spirituality, Philosophy
Cover of the book Guilty Robots, Happy Dogs by David McFarland, OUP Oxford
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: David McFarland ISBN: 9780191578748
Publisher: OUP Oxford Publication: March 12, 2009
Imprint: OUP Oxford Language: English
Author: David McFarland
ISBN: 9780191578748
Publisher: OUP Oxford
Publication: March 12, 2009
Imprint: OUP Oxford
Language: English

When we interact with animals, we intuitively read thoughts and feelings into their expressions and actions - it is easy to suppose that they have minds like ours. And as technology grows more sophisticated, we might soon find ourselves interpreting the behaviour of robots too in human terms. It is natural for us to humanize other beings in this way, but is it philosophically or scientifically justifiable? How different might the minds of animals or machines be to ours? As David McFarland asks here, could robots ever feel guilty, and is it correct to suppose your dog can truly be happy? Can we ever know what non-human minds might be like, or will the answer be forever out of our reach? These are central and important questions in the philosophy of mind, and this book is an accessible exploration of the differing philosophical positions that can be taken on the issue. McFarland looks not only at philosophy, but also examines new evidence from the science of animal behaviour plus the latest developments in robotics and artificial intelligence, to show how many different - and sometimes surprising - conclusions we can draw about the nature of 'alien minds'.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

When we interact with animals, we intuitively read thoughts and feelings into their expressions and actions - it is easy to suppose that they have minds like ours. And as technology grows more sophisticated, we might soon find ourselves interpreting the behaviour of robots too in human terms. It is natural for us to humanize other beings in this way, but is it philosophically or scientifically justifiable? How different might the minds of animals or machines be to ours? As David McFarland asks here, could robots ever feel guilty, and is it correct to suppose your dog can truly be happy? Can we ever know what non-human minds might be like, or will the answer be forever out of our reach? These are central and important questions in the philosophy of mind, and this book is an accessible exploration of the differing philosophical positions that can be taken on the issue. McFarland looks not only at philosophy, but also examines new evidence from the science of animal behaviour plus the latest developments in robotics and artificial intelligence, to show how many different - and sometimes surprising - conclusions we can draw about the nature of 'alien minds'.

More books from OUP Oxford

Cover of the book Drug and Device Product Liability Litigation Strategy by David McFarland
Cover of the book Re-Envisioning Christian Humanism by David McFarland
Cover of the book The Law of Privilege by David McFarland
Cover of the book Druids: A Very Short Introduction by David McFarland
Cover of the book A Study in Monetary Macroeconomics by David McFarland
Cover of the book Simple Brownian Diffusion by David McFarland
Cover of the book Explaining the Reasons We Share by David McFarland
Cover of the book Mapping and Measuring Deliberation by David McFarland
Cover of the book Moons: A Very Short Introduction by David McFarland
Cover of the book Plant Behaviour and Intelligence by David McFarland
Cover of the book Redesigning Life by David McFarland
Cover of the book Oxford Handbook of Infectious Diseases and Microbiology by David McFarland
Cover of the book A Practical Guide to Using Qualitative Research with Randomized Controlled Trials by David McFarland
Cover of the book Challenging Concepts in Respiratory Medicine by David McFarland
Cover of the book When Human Rights Clash at the European Court of Human Rights by David McFarland
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy