The Chinese Room Argument

Author: Tibrewal, Vansh

Year: 2023

Degree: Other

Advisor: Hitchcock, Christopher R.

Committee Member: None, None

Option: Philosophy

DOI: 10.7907/j3zc-ky05

Abstract

Introduction: The question of what constitutes understanding is often discussed without considering the more fundamental question of what the human mind is. Searle’s Chinese Room Argument attempts to challenge those who believe in strong AI and functionalism by proposing an example that meets their requirements for understanding yet intuitively seems to lack understanding. In the process, Searle makes claims about what AI functionalists believe about the nature of the human mind as well as how he differs from them. This essay will discuss the views of Searle and his detractors, and attempt to extend those views and dissect how they interact with each other.