Human Mind Simply: A Biological Computer Essay

Is the Human Mind Simply a Biological Computer – Except Slower?

When contemplating the man-like intelligence of machines, the computer immediately comes to mind but how does the ‘mind’ of such a machine compare to the mind of man? A human brain assimilates and processes much the same as a computer. However, because the mind of man possesses consciousness, it perceives beauty, generates moral judgments and formulates rationalizations which the machine cannot execute. When the computer was in its early development stages, it was thought of as an electronic, thinking device, the mechanical equivalent of the human brain. This misconception is a gross oversimplification of the seemingly limitless boundaries of the human mind. The potential of machines were thought to be able to eventually encompass “an inductive and creative mind, capable of taking initiative, to which human beings could confide all their problems and obtain instant solutions in return.” (Ifrah, p. 1679 1997)

Simply stated, computers are machines which effectively carry out algorithmic functions. The machine discerns formalized input through a sequence of fixed stages through a predetermined, straightforward set of rules of a standardized and exacting description. This allows computers to perform procedures in a precise number of steps. Mechanical computers, unlike the functions of the computer-like brain does not have the capability to determine right from wrong nor can it make judgments, has no feelings and cannot think on its own. It cannot be denied that some types of intelligence can be attributed to computers but this capacity is very limited when balanced against the boundless intricacies in a human’s brain. However, the computer is superior when considering its capability to process information at a higher speed. This has provided humans a useful tool for a myriad of endeavors. Nevertheless, computers cannot reason, imagine, invent, create, express thoughts, manage ideas, make judgments or possess the ability to adapt to differing situations and therefore cannot solve problems that are new to it. Unlike the human brain computers aren’t conscious of its own being therefore has no concept of the world around it and cannot execute voluntary activities. (Kak, 2005)

Because machines only able to follow directives, they do not possess the capability to be self-aware. Conversely, if it is accepted that computers do not and will never become aware of its own being, then it is reasonable to ask what enables the human’s biological machine to attain consciousness while the silicon-based computerized ‘brain’ cannot. Possibly, the answer to this question is the fact that the structure of the human brain is self-organizing. It responds to the individual characteristics and the independent nature of interactions between itself and the particular environment. Computers do not have the ability to accomplish this.

Consciousness allows for the acknowledgement of beauty which is known only to those that possess biological intelligence. Aesthetics value has very little in common with the processing of information. Beauty is a known but knowing this information is not a process of mathematical computations. Both the brain and the computer can add numbers but the computer is not impressed with this knowledge nor does it feel pride in accomplishing new tasks such as the biological mind might. The reasoning for why the brain knows to perform a function then knowingly yearns for more knowledge or finds the procedure a fulfilling experience remains unclear. The computer, by contrast only knows to perform the function when prompted. It has no contemplations regarding the knowing of the experience. The human mind can contemplate its own functions and existence. It may also think that the various functions of it or a computer is wondrous, beautiful event. This, along with the fact that the machine produces predictable results is the factor that separates the two processing entities. However, this viewpoint is a superficial observation of the human mind because there remains much more regarding the mysteries of the brain as opposed to the mechanical function of the computer. The brain has the ability to reject new knowledge where the computer does not. This allows for an aura of individuality that machines do not enjoy. (Clear 2003)

The human mind has the ability to know what is morally right or wrong almost instantly without the need for assimilating much information. It can make decisions based on the unknown knowledge and can rationalize, justify and reason which is traits only known to that which is conscious. Knowledge has no life. It is based only on cold facts whereas knowing is uniquely biological in nature. There is much puzzlement regarding knowledge and knowing.

In generally terms, it is assumed that the activities that differentiate human thought from that of a machines conceptualization are best characterized by the understanding of language although it cannot be denied that those who are deaf or mute do in fact think though they do not speak at the same level as others. In addition, studies have shown that most types of animal life have the capability to learn and solve problems. The use of language is as a compartment of a larger inventory of behaviors. Computers do not possess the ability of humans or even of animals to formulate or initiate any type of language on its own. Computer ‘language’ is pre-programmed. The use of uninitiated language, no matter how primitive, is within the realm of biological beings alone. (Clear 2003)

The difference between the human brain and a machine of any type is that humans create machines to be used as a tool. Human intellect is extremely intricate and consciousness too mysterious to be duplicated. On the day that a computer can lie or cheat, when it prays to an unknown entity and feels shame or sorrow then, possibly, it can be compared to the human mind. Until then, the only similarity is that both process information but to vastly different extents and by different methods.

Works Cited

Clear, Bruce ‘Knowing What We Don’t Know That We Know’ (2003). Web.

Ifrah, G. Historia universal de las cifras. Madrid: Espasa Calpe. (1997). Web.

Kak, Subhash ‘Artificial and Biological Intelligence’ Ubiquity Volume 6, Issue 42 (2005). Web.