Chinese Room

Question 1

What is the Chinese room argument?

Answer 1

S understands no Chinese, sits in room and receives paper bearing shapes (Chinese sentences). S performs formal manipulations and passes back slips bearing conversational Chinese. S instantiates program but understands no Chinese.

Question 2

What does Chinese room show?

Answer 2

Challenges claim that following a computer program (or function) is sufficient for having contentful mental states.

Question 3

What is the Chinese nation argument?

Answer 3

Every Chinese calls another citizen. Calling list constructed to represent pattern of activation occurs between neurones in one’s brain during pain. But absurd to suggest entire Chinese nation in pain.

Question 4

Outline two responses to Chinese room argument.

Answer 4

1. Systems reply. Entire room (S, books, paper, etc.) understands Chinese. Cf. processor in computer.
   Rep: absurd over human.
   Rep: memorise book, open field.
2. Robot reply. Doesn’t know how to respond (behaviour) to Chinese.
   Rep: add behavioural responses to book.