Wright, Robert. “Can Machines Think?” Time. Time, Inc., 25 Mar. 1996. Web. 24 Feb. 2011.
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In the article “Can Machines Think?”, Robert Wright establishes his point of view that in order for a machine to truly think like a human, the machine must also have the capacity to respond to experiences through consciousness like humans. Throughout the article, Wright speaks about the different view of consciousness that philosophers have developed through research over the years. Materialist philosophers, like Dennett, believe that consciousness is explained through the theory that consciousness is the function of the brain and possess physical properties, no questions asked. However, mysterian philosophers believe that consciousness may have a nonphysical property that allows humans to have feelings such as love, pain, and grief. Also the two philosophical points of view have raised questions in the mind of Wright. With the development of advanced robots and machines that have the primary goal to functions as humans, Wright believes that it may be done in the future. However, consciousness and its significance is the ultimate characteristic that must be involved in the machine’s “though process” in order to function as a human and possess the thinking abilities that humans possess.
Wright challenges the audience to understand the different views of consciousness and how it works. Also, can machines ever truly possess the characteristics that it takes to think like a human? Or, are humans a “one of a kind” species that have evolved over the years and cannot be replicated? In today’s scientific world, data gained throughout research since the beginning of time has shown mass improvement in machines because of the human mind and capabilities to create new and improved machines. Therefore, the challenge that faces today’s scientists and philosophers rests in the ability to create a machine that can truly think. Wright wants the audience to think critically about this invention by analyzing the characteristics of human beings, especially consciousness. He wants the reader to form an opinion of consciousness and try to understand the many unanswered questions that still exist in this day in age with the development of machines. He wants us to wonder, Is this ability to create a machine that thinks possible?
