PHL 443 Week 1

DQs

How do machine metaphors relate to our understanding of reality, concepts of knowledge, and values?

What are mental phenomena?

Learning Team Weekly Summary

Individual Philosophical Questions Response

Write a 200- to 300-word response to each of the following questions. Use the assigned readings as a basis on which to form your opinions.

What role do metaphors play in helping people understand the concept of artificial intelligence? Do you agree that the brain is a so-called meat machine? What other metaphors might be applicable to the function of the human brain?

How do you think Victor Frankl would answer the question, What does it mean to be human? Examine Frankls ideas on life, love, suffering, and humor in the Electronic Reserve Readings Facing the Transitoriness of Human Exsitence and Meaning in Life: Autobiographical Reflections. What is your definition of what it means to be human? What metaphors does Frankl use to communicate his ideas?

Taking into account John Searles hypotheses of consciousness and free will in the Electronic Reserve Reading Between a Rock and a Hard Place, discuss the difficulties of addressing these human characteristics and whether these characteristics are limited to humans.

Individual Philosophical Terms Exercise