The Mind-Body Problem in the history of philosophy and its relevance to the recent study of Artificial Intelligence

1988 Fiscal Year Final Research Report Summary

• Project/Area Number: 62510009
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for General Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Research Field: Philosophy
• Research Institution: Osaka City University
• Principal Investigator: KAMINO Keiichiro Professor, Philosophy Department, Osaka city Univ., 文学部, 教授 (10046948)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): NAKASAI Toshiro Associate Professor, Philosophy Department, Osaka City Univ., 文学部, 助教授 (20137178) ; KOBAYASHI Michio Associate Professor, Philosophy Department, Osaka City Univ., 文学部, 助教授 (10137177) ; UCHII Soshichi Associate Professor, Philosophy Department, Osaka City Univ., 文学部, 助教授 (60027539) ; YABUKI Hideo Associate Professor, Philosophy Department, Osaka City Univ., 文学部, 助教授 (10047285)
• Project Period (FY): 1987 – 1988
• Keywords: Mind-Body Dualism / Artificial Intelligence / Cognitive Psychology / Folk Psychology / Turing Test / 機能主義

Research Abstract

The main points in this research are the following three: the appraisal of the so-called mind-body dualism, the examination of the arguments in the cognitive science, and the inquiry into the intelligence of a machine. All these studies belong to the philosophy of mind.
Investigating the first point both historically and analytically, we tried to make clear what nature a mind should have for it to acquire any knowledge. In short, the main problem here is whether or not a mind has any extension. There are three ways of access, i. e. , Cartesian, materialistic and functionalistic access to this problem. We have also considered the union of mind and body in our daily behaviors.
The research on the second point forcuses its attention to the examination of the question: in what sense the cognitive science is a science of mind. The tentative conclusion in this research is that the cognitive science will find it most difficult to deal the primitive states of mind such as bodily sensation, and that folk psychology will resist to its treatment.
The third point, the intelligence of a machine, is explored with carefull considerations by examining the true significance of the Turing test. On the basis of a series of "one-question" Turing tests, it has been asserted that some machines can be used to test theories of intelligence.