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Article 1976 of comp.ai.philosophy:
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>From: yodaiken@chelm.cs.umass.edu (victor yodaiken)
Newsgroups: comp.ai.philosophy
Subject: Re: Searle and the Chinese Room
Message-ID: <40375@dime.cs.umass.edu>
Date: 9 Dec 91 16:41:00 GMT
References: <302@tdatirv.UUCP> <40332@dime.cs.umass.edu> <12616@pitt.UUCP>
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In article <12616@pitt.UUCP> geb@dsl.pitt.edu (gordon e. banks) writes:
>In article <40332@dime.cs.umass.edu> yodaiken@chelm.cs.umass.edu (victor yodaiken) writes:
>>
>>>And, since my knowledge of neurology suggests that all of my mental functions
>>>are based on electro-chemical reactions in characterizable processing elements,
>>>I must conclude that however our brain may achive meaning, it is computable.
>>
>>This is revolutionary knowledge. Could you please cite some references which
>>provide *objective* evidence that there are *characterizable processing
>>elements* in the brain and that they are the seat of  all mental functions. 
>>
>
>For the processing elements, any textbook on neurophysiology.
>For the connection of the brain with mental functions, any textbook
>on clinical neuropsychology.  Of course proving completeness is
>impossible, but certain there is a wealth of objective evidence.

I did not ask whether there was evidence that the brain was "connected" to
mental functions, or even if there was evidence of a connection between
brain regions and specific mental functions. This is well known. What you
claim, however, is that "all mental functions" arise from the operation of
"characterizable processing elements". This is a much stronger claim, and
I ask again for a reference to the evidence on which you base the claim.

>I have one particular patient who has a high disconnection syndrome.
>She is totally paralyzed, except for being able to move her eyes.
>But using her laser pointing device, if you have sufficient patience,
>you can carry on a very intelligent conversation with her.  She is
>not able to swallow, and is fed through a stomach tube.  About all
>she has left is her forebrain, and her mental functions seem to
>be intact.  She watches TV and keeps up on all the soap operas.

And, this proves what? 






