Paul Thagard

pseudoscience popper

“In conclusion, I would like to say why I think the question of what constitutes a pseudoscience is important. Unlike the logical positivists, I am not grinding an anti-metaphysical ax, and unlike Popper, I am not grinding an anti-Freudian or anti-Marxian one. My concern is social: society faces the twin problems of lack of public concern with the advancement of science, and lack of public concern with the important ethical issues now arising in science and technology ... One reason for this dual lack of concern is the wide popularity of pseudoscience and the occult among the general public. Elucidation of how science differs from pseudoscience is the philosophical side of an attempt to overcome public neglect of genuine science.”

― Paul Thagard

AI generality special purpose driving play games human general

"…current AI systems are lacking in generality. All the programs are special-purpose, applying only to specific applications such as driving or playing games. In contrast, humans are general-purpose problem solvers and learners, able to operate in many domains such as building, cooking, socializing, teaching, driving, playing, and so on."

― Paul Thagard

AI human problem-solving cabstraction creativity singularity

"…current AI is very impressive in approximating to some aspects of human problem-solving and learning. But it has notable gaps in imagery, abstraction, relational analogy, emotions, consciousness, full-blown language, and general creativity. So I think that AI has a long way to go before human intelligence is surpassed. Super-intelligence and the singularity are far away."

― Paul Thagard

human intelligence 12 features

"Human intelligence results from 12 typical features that are characteristic of human intelligence even though they may not be necessary or sufficient conditions. These features are perceiving, problem-solving, learning, reasoning, abstracting, planning, deciding, understanding, feeling, acting, creating, and communicating."

― Paul Thagard

political emotion fear anger disgust envy

"…the fundamental political emotion is fear, which contributes to other emotions such as anger, disgust, and envy. Emotions are causally interconnected, with one emotion tending to lead to another. If you fear someone, you may become angry that they have made you fearful."

― Paul Thagard