Great Philosophical Objections to Artificial Intelligence

A 2022 Choice Outstanding Academic Title
This book surveys and examines the most famous philosophical arguments against building a machine with human-level intelligence.
From claims and counter-claims about the ability to implement consciousness, rationality, and meaning, to arguments about cognitive architecture, the book presents a vivid history of the clash between the philosophy and AI. Tellingly, the AI Wars are mostly quiet now. Explaining this crucial fact opens new paths to understanding the current resurgence AI (especially, deep learning AI and robotics), what happens when philosophy meets science, and the role of philosophy in the culture in which it is embedded.
Organising the arguments into four core topics - 'Is AI possible', 'Architectures of the Mind', 'Mental Semantics and Mental Symbols' and 'Rationality and Creativity' - this book shows the debate that played out between the philosophers on both sides of the question, and, as well, the debate between philosophers and AI scientists and engineers building AI systems. Up-to-date and forward-looking, the book is packed with fresh insights and supporting material, including:
- Accessible introductions to each war, explaining the background behind the main arguments against AI - Each chapter details what happened in the AI wars, the legacy of the attacks, and what new controversies are on the horizon. - Extensive bibliography of key readings

Eric Dietrich is Professor of Philosophy at Binghamton University, USA.

Contents List of Figures Prologue to the Second Edition Prologue: The AI Wars and Beyond Part I The AI Wars, 1950 to 2000 Introduction The First War: Is AI Even Possible? 1 Gödel and a Foundational Objection to AI 2 How (not) to think about the Turing Test The Second War: Architectures for Intelligence 3 How Computer Science Saved the Mind 4 Implementing an Intelligence The Third War: Mental Semantics and Mental Symbols 5 The Strange Case of the Missing Meaning: Can Computers Think About Things? The Fourth War: Rationality, Relevance, and Creativity 6 What is Relevant to What? The Frame Problem Part II Beyond the AI Wars: New Issues Arise Introduction 7 What about Consciousness? 8 Ethical Issues Surrounding AI Applications 9 Could Embodied AIs be Ethical Agents? Part III The "New AI": Generative Models Reignite Old Controversies Introduction: Why is the "new AI" surprising? 10 Representation and semantics in Large Language Models 11 Have LLMs changed the debate about consciousness? 12 Sustainability: the new ethical issue raised by generative AI Conclusion: Whither the AI Wars? Notes Bibliography Index