Derek Zahn: you have to have a theory of mind 

One of the interesting things about current AGI projects like Ben's & Stan F's 
(is there any other?) is that they do indeed constitute not so much theories as 
models of mind -  illustrated by charts in Ben's essay on Kurzweil's site. In 
essence, they are saying: "this is the minimum structure that you need to 
create an artifical mind."

And that really lays the ground for two new branches of AI/ Psychology.

There should be a Systems AGI just as there is now a Systems Biology, whose 
role is to consider and discuss alternative models of artificial minds - and 
argue about what is and is not necessary. In essence, BTW those models lay the 
foundation for an open-source AGI - if AI-ers can achieve some consensus about 
the basic departments that are necessary for a viable artificial mind, then 
they will have a crude open-source blueprint.

In parallel, there is a need for Systems Psychology, whose role is to present 
overall models of human and animal minds, which (like Ben's charts) present the 
main departments of mind, and how they are located in the brain. Psychology 
does not at the moment present such overall models, only bits and pieces. 
People can't even agree about what consciousness consists of  - and forget the 
'hard problem', we're talking here just about things like the basic senses - 
precisely because there are no overall models of the conscious mind. 

Ideally such models should become ever more sophisticated, complex 3-d dynamic 
models (& not just charts).

Ultimately, of course, Systems Psychology & SYstems Biology should link up.

-----
This list is sponsored by AGIRI: http://www.agiri.org/email
To unsubscribe or change your options, please go to:
http://v2.listbox.com/member/?member_id=231415&user_secret=e9e40a7e

Reply via email to