Computer Power and Human Reason

Computer Power and Human Reason

Joseph Weizenbaum's influential 1976 book Computer Power and Human Reason: From Judgment To Calculation (San Francisco: W. H. Freeman, 1976; ISBN 0-7167-0463-3) displays his ambivalence towards computer technology and lays out his case: while artificial intelligence may be possible, we should never allow computers to make important decisions because computers will always lack human qualities such as compassion and wisdom. Weizenbaum makes the crucial distinction between deciding and choosing. Deciding is a computational activity, something that can ultimately be programmed. It is the capacity to choose that ultimately makes us human. Choice, however, is the product of judgment, not calculation. Comprehensive human judgment is able to include non-mathematical factors such as emotions. Judgment can compare apples and oranges, and can do so without quantifying each fruit type and then reductively quantifying each to factors necessary for mathematical comparison.

While the book may seem quaint by today's standards, comments printed on the back cover might provide some insight into the seriousness with which the Weizenbaum's commentary and insights were received by the intelligentsia of the time:

  • "Dare I say it? This is the best book I have read on the impact of computers on society, and on technology, and man's image of himself."

-Keith Oakley, Psychology Today

  • "A thoughtful blend of insight, experience, anecdote, and passion that will stand for a long time as the definitive integration of technological and human thought."

-American Mathematical Monthly

  • "Superb ... the work of a man who is struggling with the utmost seriousness to save our humanity from the reductionist onslaught of one of the most prestigious, and richly funded technologies of our time."

-Theodore Roszak, The Nation.

See also

External links


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужна курсовая?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Computer ethics — is a branch of practical philosophy which deals with how computing professionals should make decisions regarding professional and social conduct.[1] Margaret Anne Pierce, a professor in the Department of Mathematics and Computers at Georgia… …   Wikipedia

  • Human reliability — is related to the field of human factors engineering, and refers to the reliability of humans in fields such as manufacturing, transportation, the military, or medicine. Human performance can be affected by many factors such as age, circadian… …   Wikipedia

  • Human genetic variation — is the natural variation in gene frequencies observed between the genomes of individuals or groups of humans. Variation can be measured at both the individual level (differences between individual people) and at the population level, i.e.… …   Wikipedia

  • Computer-supported collaboration — (CSC) research focuses on technology that affects groups, organizations, communities and societies, e.g., voice mail and text chat. It grew from cooperative work study of supporting people s work activities and working relationships. As net… …   Wikipedia

  • Human extinction — is the end of the human species. Various scenarios have been discussed in science, popular culture, and religion (see End time). The scope of this article is existential risks. Humans are very widespread on the Earth, and live in communities… …   Wikipedia

  • Computer chess — 1990s Pressure sensory chess computer with LCD screen Chess+ For the iPad …   Wikipedia

  • computer — computerlike, adj. /keuhm pyooh teuhr/, n. 1. Also called processor. an electronic device designed to accept data, perform prescribed mathematical and logical operations at high speed, and display the results of these operations. Cf. analog… …   Universalium

  • Computer security — This article is about computer security through design and engineering. For computer security exploits and defenses, see computer insecurity. Computer security Secure operating systems Security architecture Security by design Secure coding …   Wikipedia

  • Computer program — A computer program (also software, or just a program) is a sequence of instructions written to perform a specified task with a computer.[1] A computer requires programs to function, typically executing the program s instructions in a central… …   Wikipedia

  • Computer keyboard — A key being pressed on a computer keyboard. In computing, a keyboard is a typewriter style keyboard, which uses an arrangement of buttons or keys, to act as mechanical levers or electronic switches. Following the decline of punch cards and paper… …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
… Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”