Godel's Theorem

Term Paper # 101450

Mathematics

Godel's Theorem

A discussion as the to the proof or lack thereof in support of Godel's theorem of the self-awareness of machines.

1,358 words () | 3 sources | MLA | 2008 United States

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses Godel's theorem and its lack of proof, absolute or otherwise, that machines do or may in the future experience self-awareness of one type or another. It discusses the assertions of the theory and the problems with it. The paper then provides a personal response, by the writer, to the issue of the present and future self-consciousness of machines.

Table of Contents:
Discussion
Response

From the Paper:

"Free will is a concept that cannot be even remotely defined with any degree of consensus. Talking about free will with religious groups results in completely different concepts of free will than when talking with political groups or academic groups or any number of different types of groups. Conversely, arithmetic calculations are easy to quantify and easy to define within the confines of the overall system. Somehow Smullyan would like his readers to believe that defining free will is as self-apparent as 2 plus 2 or similar arithmetic equation. Some researchers have described Godel's Theorem as being some type of alternate description of a value system: "The system of values could be part of the program the computer followed in making its choices. The computer system would then appear to have those values, and be guided by them (Machina 3). Thus Smullyan's entire argument regarding free will is based on a number of unfounded and unproven assertions that have no basis except in extreme positives or negatives. These equate to a world that is either black or white and all decisions are, ultimately, yes or no questions."

Sample of Sources Used:

Hofstadter, Douglas. "Contricrostipunctus."
Machina, Kenton. "PT, Free Will, Determinism, and Moral Accountability." The Mind Project, Illinois State University(2007).
Smullyan, Raymond. "Is God a Taoist?" The Tao is Silent.