Psychology 115W

Integrative Essay #1

The Truth about Computers and Humans

The year is 2028. Destruction has hit every corner of the earth and no one has escaped. The world is engaged in a nuclear war with an enemy not of human kind. They are not aliens: they are computers. It has been feared for years that one day the machine we invented would become smarter than their makers, and that time has finally taken place. Total chaos has occurred as scientists desperately try to figure out how to stop these machines gone mad. The damage is amazing. Computers have taken over all government files, and erased all of the important information that was stored on them. Of course, this scenario is one often exploited in science fiction, but it is, for the most part, realistic. The idea that computers could one day take over the world is preposterous, yet the idea itself is very intriguing. Why is it that this idea is so ludicrous?

Human beings are very advanced in what they know, yet it is vital to recognize that the human race is not all knowing. Many of our methods of obtaining knowledge and determining truths are flawed. In class discussions, the concept that human beings are not as educated as they believe was realized through the Bronowski readings. However, this should not make one think that human beings are completely ignorant in these matters. Although human beings are not capable of knowing all of the absolute truths, they have obtained a deeper understanding that cannot be replicated by machines such as computers. Proof of this can be found in many different aspects of knowledge, as well as concepts of truth. Computers are often limited in what they can accomplish because of the simple fact that they can only be as smart as the human beings that create and program them. Computers lack the ability to obtain knowledge through the surrounding environment, which seems necessary to determine absolute truths . Memory also plays a role here due to the fact that humans can effectively use the art of association in order to successfully retain knowledge. Another aspect that can be emphasized is the fact that, in general, machines lack an emotional component and the idea of a soul. Of all these angles, the idea that humans use perception to receive the basis of knowledge is extremely important.

Our concepts for truth are purely based on our various perceptions. This is how we greatly differ from computers. If computers do not have a solution to a problem, they cannot use an alternative method unless one has been programmed into them by a programmer. Computers have no imagination to come up with an alternative truth. They lack real vision as well as perception. Unlike animals who can learn on their own after maturing, computers must always be "told" what they know. Bronowski puts it very bluntly in his book The Origins of Knowledge and Imagination with the statement, "Symbolism, language, scientific formula here are all synonymous. What opens it? That function of the brain which in fact is not the function of a digital computer" (109). Using the senses in order to gain perception is a part of the learning process that helps in gaining the most knowledge possible from our surroundings. Without this skill, it seems difficult to imagine a computer gaining knowledge on its own.

Despite the fact that computers also have a system known as memory, the type found in each is distinctively different. Human beings have the ability to access specified information at the user’s discretion. While operators of computers can do this, the computer itself is not capable of this feat. Let’s say that there is a math problem such as 156/8=?. Both a human being and a computer can establish the answer is 7. What is interesting is while the computer will only come up with the answer; a human being may also think about an old math teacher, when they learned how to do division, or the prize received for receiving the highest grade on the math test. This simple division can trigger many different memories as well as provide many different types of information. Some people can even use this information to solve larger, more difficult problems. Computers are only able to access specified related information. Human beings are able to access any type of information stored, whether it is related to the subject at hand or not. This advantage over computers is one that proves to be a substantial one, but there is also one more. Human beings are adept to use their emotions in order to assist in their learning process.

Human emotions have always played a great part in the lives of humans, and in the subject of knowledge and truth, this is no exception. Human emotion often provides humans with the motivation to search for truth and knowledge. Whether the reaction is angry, sad, or happy,, emotions are often the driving force that assists in solving the unanswered. Personality that is expressed through emotion can also be a deciding factor. According to Bronowski, " The creative personality is one that looks on the world as fit for change......"(123). Human beings also have the pleasure of using imagination. Imagination is probably one of the main reasons that the human race has advanced over the centuries. In his fifth chapter of his book, Bronowski makes the point that, "the one who plays better makes more mistakes, by which I mean more imaginative mistakes. He sees more ridiculous alternatives." Being able to use logic at one’s discretion allows one to think of many unconventional ways to solve a problem. A computer can only use as many solutions as it has programmed into it. Being able to use motivation, rely on personality, and utilizing the imagination are all steps that are a large reason that a world war by the computers is very doubtful.

The war scenario described earlier now seems less likely due to the obvious advantages the human mind has over the computer. Although the human mind is still not capable of receiving all of the available knowledge, or absolute truths, it is important to remember that humans are still more capable than other objects such as the computer. The ability to perceive the environment surrounding us is a very useful tool in gaining all of the knowledge available to us. The human brains memory is also a more versatile in the form and type of information that it will store. Often, useful information will not be stored, while useless information can be remembered for years on end. The last element is emotion. Emotions intertwined with personality can affect the amount of knowledge that is obtained, because it can drive one to obtain as much or as little knowledge as possible. Emotions along with the imagination that stems from it allow the human mind an even greater advantage over the computers, because of the flexibility it allows. These factors are major influences that help the human race breathe a sigh of relief that comes from never having to worry about the computers taking over the world.