Robots, Zombies and Us

Understanding Consciousness

Nonfiction, Religion & Spirituality, Philosophy, Mind & Body
Cover of the book Robots, Zombies and Us by Robert Kirk, Bloomsbury Publishing
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Robert Kirk ISBN: 9781474286602
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing Publication: February 23, 2017
Imprint: Bloomsbury Academic Language: English
Author: Robert Kirk
ISBN: 9781474286602
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
Publication: February 23, 2017
Imprint: Bloomsbury Academic
Language: English

Could robots be genuinely intelligent? Could they be conscious? Could there be zombies? Prompted by these questions Robert Kirk introduces the main problems of consciousness and sets out a new approach to solving them.

He starts by discussing behaviourism, Turing's test of intelligence and Searle's famous Chinese Room argument, and goes on to examine dualism – the idea that consciousness requires something beyond the physical – together with its opposite, physicalism. Probing the idea of zombies, he concludes they are logically impossible. Having presented the central problems, he sketches his solution: a version of functionalism, according to which consciousness consists in the performance of functions.

While there is wide agreement among philosophers about what the main problems of consciousness are, there is little agreement on how to go about solving them. With this powerful case for his version of functionalism, Kirk offers an engaging introduction to both the problems and a possible solution.

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

Could robots be genuinely intelligent? Could they be conscious? Could there be zombies? Prompted by these questions Robert Kirk introduces the main problems of consciousness and sets out a new approach to solving them.

He starts by discussing behaviourism, Turing's test of intelligence and Searle's famous Chinese Room argument, and goes on to examine dualism – the idea that consciousness requires something beyond the physical – together with its opposite, physicalism. Probing the idea of zombies, he concludes they are logically impossible. Having presented the central problems, he sketches his solution: a version of functionalism, according to which consciousness consists in the performance of functions.

While there is wide agreement among philosophers about what the main problems of consciousness are, there is little agreement on how to go about solving them. With this powerful case for his version of functionalism, Kirk offers an engaging introduction to both the problems and a possible solution.

More books from Bloomsbury Publishing

Cover of the book Bradshaw's Railway Handbook Vol 3 by Robert Kirk
Cover of the book Maz and Bricks by Robert Kirk
Cover of the book Sport and Social Movements by Robert Kirk
Cover of the book Postdramatic Theatre and Form by Robert Kirk
Cover of the book Not Quite a Teacher by Robert Kirk
Cover of the book Redefining Organised Crime: A Challenge for the European Union? by Robert Kirk
Cover of the book Airship by Robert Kirk
Cover of the book Movie Greats by Robert Kirk
Cover of the book The Importance of Being Earnest by Robert Kirk
Cover of the book The Referendum and Other Essays on Constitutional Politics by Robert Kirk
Cover of the book Fruit by Robert Kirk
Cover of the book The Lancashire Witches by Robert Kirk
Cover of the book All the Beloved Ghosts by Robert Kirk
Cover of the book The Politics of Race in Britain and South Africa by Robert Kirk
Cover of the book Unwrapping Ancient Egypt by Robert Kirk
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