Some
philosophers, including John Searle, say that computers are not really
intelligent. Rather, they just simulate intelligence. However, it could be
argued that, just as computers are programmed to respond in different ways to
different commands, so human beings are 'programmed' by society, and education,
to perform certain tasks. For example, we are programmed to do complicated
things like speak a language, as well as more simply things like brush our
teeth.
What are
your thoughts on this comparison? Is there any difference between the
programming of computers, and the 'programming' of humans by society?
I believe
there is a huge difference when stating that humans are ‘programmed’ by
society, just as computers are programmed.
They are
programmed to follow instructions, and those instructions HAVE to be followed. It’s
like they have been set in stone and it cannot be broken, it is
unable to break its protocol and do another task that is unrelated to its
program/commands.
Whereas, we
choose to follow tasks/commands, society and education may think they have program
us but as I’ve mentioned before it’s by choice we choose to follow. We are able
to change our action from time to time in the same/any given situations.
It's certainly true that there is more flexibility in human behavior, it's hard to disagree with what you say here.
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