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Plastic machines: behavioural diversity and the Turing test

Michael Wheeler (Department of Philosophy, University of Stirling, Stirling, UK)

Kybernetes

ISSN: 0368-492X

Publication date: 4 May 2010

Abstract

Purpose

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The purpose of this paper is to consider Turing's test and his objections to the idea that a machine might eventually pass it. Discusses behavioural diversity in relation to the Turing test.

Design/methodology/approach

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The paper argues that this objection cannot be dismissed easily, taking the view that the diversity exhibited by human behaviour is characterised by a kind of context‐sensitive adaptive plasticity. Draws on Descartes' arguments and artificial intelligence to interpret the Turing test.

Findings

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It is found that the distinctive context‐sensitive adaptive plasticity of human behaviour explains why the Turing test is such a stringent test for the presence of thought and why it is much harder to pass than Turing himself may have realised.

Originality/value

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This paper provides an unique view of Turing's test that will assist researchers in assessing its value and its goals.

Keywords

Citation

Wheeler, M. (2010), "Plastic machines: behavioural diversity and the Turing test", Kybernetes, Vol. 39 No. 3, pp. 466-480. https://doi.org/10.1108/03684921011036187

Download as .RIS

Publisher

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Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2010, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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