I do agree with Turing, but I’m reluctant to indulge this digression in the current comment thread. My point was that regardless of whether we think that “Can machines think?” is meaningless, Turing certainly thought so, and he did not invent his test with the purpose of answering said question. When we attempt to use the Turing test to determine whether machines think, or are conscious, or any such thing, we’re a) ignoring the design intent of the test, and b) using the wrong tool for the job. The Turing test is unlikely to be of any great help in answering such questions.
I do agree with Turing, but I’m reluctant to indulge this digression in the current comment thread. My point was that regardless of whether we think that “Can machines think?” is meaningless, Turing certainly thought so, and he did not invent his test with the purpose of answering said question. When we attempt to use the Turing test to determine whether machines think, or are conscious, or any such thing, we’re a) ignoring the design intent of the test, and b) using the wrong tool for the job. The Turing test is unlikely to be of any great help in answering such questions.
Consider that point amply made, thanks.