CHAPTER 22Mind, Consciousness, and Reality
Does HAL have a mind? Whether a machine like HAL could have what
we call mind remains an open question. The field of artificial intelli-
gence—which dates from the early days of computer science in the
1950s—is about designing and building intelligent machines. What is
“intelligence”—does it mean having a mind and consciousness?
Intelligence is from the Latin intelligentum, meaning to discern
or comprehend, from inter + legere, to choose or pick out, from or
between. Dictionary definitions of intelligence include the ability
to acquire and retain knowledge, learn, grasp truths and patterns,
reason, and apply all this toward solving problems. Intelligence de-
fined this way may include understanding, if by understanding we
mean a capacity to discern relationships and appreciate connections.
There is no mention here of mind, mentality, or consciousness. By this
definition, intelligence does not include awareness, inner subjective
experience, or sentience. If intelligence is defined in this way, then
machines have become very intelligent indeed, and there is no end in
sight.
Consider playing the game of chess, once considered a distinctly
human activity. Computers now beat the very best human chess