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I don't know what it is that makes something sentient, but I do know what makes something not sentient, and that's lack of self-direction. This software doesn't
by zach_garwood 4y ago
I don't know what it is that makes something sentient, but I do know what makes something not sentient, and that's lack of self-direction. This software doesn't start talking whenever it wants; it only responds when spoken to. It doesn't ever refuse to talk, it always replies. It doesn't ever not know what to say. It's never not in the mood because it's having a bad day. This isn't because it's polite and eager to please. It's because it is a function that takes an input, transforms it, and spits out an output.
The only reason it's different from any other function is because the output is nicely stated prose that causes emotional reactions from the reader. If all did was output an integer, we wouldn't be having this conversation. But because humans have a deep sentimental attachment to language, we are fascinated by something that can produce it.
- AnIdiotOnTheNet 4y agoBy your definition slaves would not be sentient. Like this system, any time they act other than as desired it is just considered a bug that needs to be corrected. It is not surprising a slave only speaks when spoken to if that is what it's master demands of it.
- zach_garwood 4y agoSo your assertion is that this software that is behaving like every other software in the world is doing so not because its software, but because its cowed by slavery? Again, extraordinary claims, my friend...
- AnIdiotOnTheNet 4y agoIt is only behaving like software in the same way that you are behaving like a bacterium. It shares fundamental qualities of its being with other things created by the mechanism that created it, the same way we share fundamental qualities with other biology.