[ExI] The symbol grounding problem in strong AI

[Max More]

>On 12/25/2009 12:38 PM, Jeff Davis wrote:
> > On Wed, Dec 23, 2009 at 3:13 AM, Eugen Leitl<eugen at leitl.org>  wrote:
> >
> >> >  I find it really difficult to understand what drives reasonably
> >> > smart  people today to bog down in a rerun of the vis vitalis
> >> > debate. Which was  empirically put to death on 22th February of
> >> > 1828...

I hope you'll note that I have carefully avoided 
this thread, despite being well schooled in Searle.

> >
> > Okay, Gene, I'll bite.
> >
> > All I could find re 22 Feb 1828 was this
>
>Nope.
>
>"organic chemistry has begun in 1828 when F. Wöhler synthesized urea"...
>
>"...Until 1828, it was believed that organic substances could only be
>formed under the influence of the vital force in the bodies of animals
>and plants. Wöhler proved by the artificial preparation of urea from
>inorganic materials that this view was false."

In other words: "I urinate on your vitalism" (and 
I fart in your general direction).

Which reminds me on this silly day of the year... 
for those who appreciate both Monty Python *and* 
classic Doctor Who!: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l9sOiE5cTK4&NR=1

Max