Human nature is unpredictable: philosophical problems of the heart and cognition

Author: Peng Mengyou
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-12-01
Features: If thinking, cognition, and emotions are functions of the brain, then can unforgettable love and unchanging friendship merely be products of brain neural responses? This perspective seems to devalue human worth, yet it also appears to offer us another way of imagining "humanity." In an era of advanced technology and fantasy, we dream of creating robots that can think, such as the computer "Deep Blue" that defeated the world chess champion. We also dream of robots becoming more human-like—feeling not only emotions like joy and sorrow but also the seven emotions and six desires. Can humans truly achieve this? Is our imagination too rich, or is current technology still not advanced enough? This book compiles discussions from philosophers over the past three decades on these questions, explaining in an accessible way the important philosophical issues, doctrines, and challenges encountered in this rapidly evolving field. It not only encourages readers to deeply reflect on human value but also offers a broadening reading experience.