The Emperor's New Mind: Concerning Computers, Minds, and the Laws of Physics (Popular Science)Roger Penrose | 2002-12-12 00:00:00 | Oxford University Press, USA | 640 | Theory of Computing
For decades, proponents of artificial intelligence have argued that computers will soon be doing everything that a human mind can do. Admittedly, computers now play chess at the grandmaster level, but do they understand the game as we do? Can a computer eventually do everything a human mind can do? In this absorbing and frequently contentious book, Roger Penrose--eminent physicist and winner, with Stephen Hawking, of the prestigious Wolf prize--puts forward his view that there are some facets of human thinking that can never be emulated by a machine. Penrose examines what physics and mathematics can tell us about how the mind works, what they can't, and what we need to know to understand the physical processes of consciousness. He is among a growing number of physicists who think Einstein wasn't being stubborn when he said his "little finger" told him that quantum mechanics is incomplete, and he concludes that laws even deeper than quantum mechanics are essential for the operation of a mind. To support this contention, Penrose takes the reader on a dazzling tour that covers such topics as complex numbers, Turing machines, complexity theory, quantum mechanics, formal systems, Godel undecidability, phase spaces, Hilbert spaces, black holes, white holes, Hawking radiation, entropy, quasicrystals, the structure of the brain, and scores of other subjects. The Emperor's New Mind will appeal to anyone with a serious interest in modern physics and its relation to philosophical issues, as well as to physicists, mathematicians, philosophers and those on either side of the AI debate.
Some love it, some hate it, but
The Emperor's New Mind, physicist Roger Penrose's 1989 treatise attacking the foundations of strong artificial intelligence, is crucial for anyone interested in the history of thinking about AI and consciousness. Part survey of modern physics, part exploration of the philosophy of mind, the book is not for casual readers--though it's not overly technical, it rarely pauses to let the reader catch a breath. The overview of relativity and quantum theory, written by a master, is priceless and uncontroversial. The exploration of consciousness and AI, though, is generally considered as resting on shakier ground.
Penrose claims that there is an intimate, perhaps unknowable relation between quantum effects and our thinking, and ultimately derives his anti-AI stance from his proposition that some, if not all, of our thinking is non-algorithmic. Of course, these days we believe that there are other avenues to AI than traditional algorithmic programming; while he has been accused of setting up straw robots to knock down, this accusation is unfair. Little was then known about the power of neural networks and behavior-based robotics to simulate (and, some would say, produce) intelligent problem-solving behavior. Whether these tools will lead to strong AI is ultimately a question of belief, not proof, and The Emperor's New Mind offers powerful arguments useful to believer and nonbeliever alike. --Rob Lightner
Reviews
My copy of this book is now 21 years old, but I thought it appropriate to write a short historical review. When I first read this book I was interested to read in a semi-technical way about many of the Physics and Computation ideas of Roger Penrose. I am sure that many are still interested in the book for that reason. Since then Penrose has written other books, but this provides an introduction to his ideas which is half way between popular science and textbook. What has happened in the years that have followed is that this work has undoubtedly stimulated many researchers and others.
The other aspect of the book was his specific arguments about AI: which have ired many critics. Indeed his later book (Shadows of the Mind) contained a revised argument and dealt with about 20 criticisms of the AI argument from this book. Nevertheless this was not enough and more criticisms appeared which he later discussed in other works. So there is quite a trail to follow here for those who wish to take these topics seriously.
I would now suggest that he was really trying to make the case for the importance of non-Turing-Computability in this book. That it is important in scientific arguments from Cognition Theory and AI to Quantum Physics. Non-Turing computability is a very subtle topic to discuss (it was the subject of Turing's logic Ph.D) especially in a philosophically broad way. Many of the topics like Fractals and Penrose Tiling which found their way into this book, and do not immediately seem relevant to the arguments, are there to emphasise and display some non-computable mathematical entities. Oversimplifications of Penrose's arguments usually miss the significance of non-computability in them.
Having said all this I think that were this book to be written now, then some sections could be reworded. As a specific detail I think that in discussing the historical evolution of "algorithm" the definition of that term changes in the book without being noticed. It took me a few readings to notice this.
So if you want to delve into the debate about non-computability in physics and AI this is a book to read, but be aware that it is only the beginning of a longer story. The physics/cosmology discussions are a good introduction to his approach to those topics too.
Reviews
I am just now learning about the quantum aspects of our minds. This pioneer in the study of that subject offers more much than I can understand but still sheds light on his findings.
The University of Arizona's school of Consciousness (Neurology) has a professor teamed up with this author (Dr Hameroff) and together they have expanded these findings into remarkable realms.
We have totally underestimated the capabilities of our minds and certainly the power of Consciousness !
Susanne Zike , Tucson
Reviews
Professor Penrose takes us on a wonderful intellectual voyage as he presents an array of information about consciousness and reality which no one else would put together.
Gradually, he entwines the multicoloured strands to present a polished argument showing why consciousness is non-computational, and no computer, however large, will ever become conscious. While computers may compute better than we can, no computer can understand, as we easily do, why the computation is necessary.
The Emperor's New Mind will have something fascinating for everyone, because of the unexpected things one finds along the road on this thrilling expedition through the classical and quantum universes.
Reviews
I loved this book. I have a basic math & science background, and I am interested in physics but by no means an expert. This book was fascinating and informative and was written in a way to make the knowledge accessible to an educated layman. I cannot recommend it enough.
Reviews
I didn't see it yet, my parents say it's good enough. It was also delivered before estimated date, which is good i guess. We expected a book that is used but in very good condition, and that's what we got. Thanks
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