Meta Treks is a Trek.fm podcast dedicated to a deep examination of the philosophical ideas found in Star Trek. In each episode, Zachary Fruhling and Mike Morrison take you on a fascinating journey into the inner workings of Star Trek storytelling, deeper into subspace than you've ever traveled before.
http://trek.fm/meta-treks
11: Fair Pay for Exocomps
Exocomps and Artificial
Intelligence.
Is it possible for non-biological beings such as androids, robots,
or holograms to think? In this episode of Meta Treks, hosts Zachary
Fruhling and Mike Morrison explore the arguments for and against
the possibility of artificial intelligence. Using the TNG episode
"The Quality of Life" as a discussion springboard, Zachary and Mike
cover Alan Turing and the Turing Test for artificial intelligence,
the mind as a digital computer, Turing machines and emulation,
Frank Jackson on qualia and subjective experience, and a
Klingon-inspired retelling of John Searle's famous "Chinese Room"
thought experiment as an objection to the possibility of artificial
intelligence.
Chapters
Welcome to Episode 11 (00:01:05)
Synopsis of "Quality of Life" (00:01:37)
Artificial Intelligence in Star Trek and the Definition of Life
(00:03:40)
Spontaneity and Beards (00:23:51)
Alan Turing and The Turing Test (00:30:06)
Turing Machines and Emulation (00:45:47)
Frank Jackson on Qualia and Subjective Experience (01:03:28)
John Searle and the "Chinese (Klingon) Room" Objection
(01:06:19)
Final Thoughts (01:19:20)
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