Testing robots for qualia

James H. Moor

pp. 107-118

in: Herbert Otto, James Tuedio (eds), Perspectives on mind, Berlin, Springer, 1988

Abstract

A computer recently electrocuted its owner just after he had purchased a another computer. Did the computer kill from jealousy? Was it seeking revenge? Such explanations are fun to give, but I assume that nobody takes them seriously. Among other things, the behavior of today's computers is not sophisticated enough to even begin to convince us that they actually have qualitative experiences such as emotions and feelings.