Discussion responses are marked sufficient/non-sufficient. They will be marked “sufficient”, and get credit, if and only if they:
1. Motivates the question and suggests why it is important;
2. Clearly takes a position on the question;
3. Argues for this position, supporting it with reasons and evidence;
4. Accurately portrays the reading(s) at stake;
5. Explains technical concepts and distinctions;
6. Does not include extraneous details;
7. Provides a clear and informative summary showing how the argument, reasons, and evidence support the position taken;
8. Properly cites the reading where appropriate (using an appropriate style system; e.g. Chicago 17th — for more information on how this works see: https://www.wikihow.com/Cite-an-Essay)
Discussion Questions:(only answer 1)
1. Outline the rules of the ‘imitation game’ as described by Turing. Is there a single
unambiguous interpretation of the rules?
2. Turing suggests that we should replace the question ‘Can machines think?’ with the
question ‘Are there imaginable digital computers which would do well in the imitation
game?’ Why does he want to do this? Is it a legitimate move to make?
3. On p. 442, Turing makes a prediction about future performance in the imitation game. Has
this prediction come to pass?
4. Turing considers nine possible objections to the view that computers can think. Which
objection do you think is the most serious, and why? Are you convinced by Turing’s
response?
5. “I have no very convincing arguments of a positive nature to support my views. If I had I
should not have taken such pains to point out the fallacies in contrary views.” (p. 454)
6. What are Turing’s two ‘arguments of a positive nature’, and are they as bad as he claims?
The Article:
Will be attached. Please refer to these pdf files when answering one of the questions above and please tell me which question you answered and what pages you refrenced.
