Philosophy Of Mind Essays - Philosophy Of Artificial Intelligence

Philosophy Of Mind In this paper I plan to show that Searle is correct in claiming that his Chinese Room Analogy shows that any Turing machine simulation of human understanding of a linguistic phenomenon fails to possess any real understanding. First I will explain the Chinese Room Analogy and how it is compared to a Turing machine. I will then show that the machine can not literally be said to understand. A Turing machine has a infinite number of internal states, but always begins a computation in the initial state go. Turing machines can be generalized in various ways. For example many machines can be connected, or a single machines may have more than one reader-printer under command of the control. The machines are set to accept input and give output based on the type of input given. When comparing the Turing machine simulation of understanding to actual human understanding you ca see the story given as input, and the answers to questions about the story as output. In the Chinese Room Analogy Searle supposed that he was locked in a room with a large batch of Chinese writing referred to as "scripts". By using the term "script" it is meant to say that this first batch of Chinese writing is the original or principal instrument or document. Further more in this case he is said not to know any Chinese, either written or spoken. The Chinese writing is described by Searle as " meaningless squiggles". Next he is presented with a second batch of Chinese writing referred to as a "story". The term story here is meant to describe the second batch to be an account of incidents or events that will be used to make a statement regarding the facts pertinent to the incidents or events that will follow. Accompanied with the second batch of writing is a set of written rules written in English that is meant to be used for correlating the two batches called a "program". The "program" given to Searle is meant to used as a printed outline of a particular order to be followed to correlate the Chinese symbols. The rules, or the "program", will allow Searle to correlate the symbols entirely by their shape. Finally a third batch of Chinese symbols is presented along with further instructions in English, referred to as "questions". The "questions" are implemented as a way to interrogate Searle in such a manner that his competence in the situation will be given. These "questions" allow the third batch to be correlated with the first two batches. It is supposed in this analogy that after a while he becomes so good at following the instructions to manipulate the symbols, while giving the correct answers, that is becomes impossible for a man from outside the direct point of view to distinguish his answers from that of a native Chinese speaker. The Chinese Room Analogy goes a step further when he is given large batches of English, called "stories", which he of course understands as native English speaker. The story in this case is to be used just as it was in the previous case, to describe the batch as an account of incidents or events that will be used to make a statement regarding the facts pertinent to the incidents or events that will follow. Much like the case with the Chinese writing questions are asked in English and he is able to answer them, also in English. These answers are indistinguishable from that of other native English speakers, if for no other reason that he is a native speaker himself. The difference here is that in the Chinese case, Searle is only producing answers based on manipulation of the symbols of which have no meaning to him, and in the English case answers are given based on understanding. It is supposed that in the Chinese case, Searle behaves as nothing more than a computer, performing operations on formally specified elements. An advocate of the strong AI (Artificial Intelligence) claim that if a question and answer sequence much like the case with the Chinese symbols, a machine is not only simulating human ability but also that the machine can be said to literally understand a story and provide answers to questions about them. Searle declares that in regard to the first claim where machine can literally be said to understand a story and provide answers, that this is untrue. Obviously in the Chinese Room Analogy even though the inputs and outputs are indistinguishable from that of native Chinese speaker Searle

The Purloined Letter by Edgar Allan Poe.

The Purloined Letter by Edgar Allan Poe. Throughout "The Purloined Letter," Edgar Allan Poe contrasts the intuitive, poetic deduction of Dupin with the orderly, mathematical logic of the Prefect. When Dupin's poetic logic outwits the Prefect's, Poe appears to convey a triumph of literature over mathematics. However, this apparent triumph of literary logic is underscored by parallels between Dupin and the Minister. Both are characterized by images of "doubling" and both use identical methods to steal the letter. Yet, the Minister is depicted as a villain, while Dupin is conveyed as a brilliant hero. Despite Dupin's success in discovering the letter, when Poe mirrors Dupin to the Minister, he reveals the double sides of his character and thus the multiple meanings within literature. Ultimately, Poe conveys that the true value of the purloined letter is its power to represent multiple meanings of both good and evil.Throughout the story, Dupin's imprecise, circular, intuitive deduction is contrasted with the Prefect's orderly, mathematical logic.English: The cover of the magazine The Gift, 1845,...From the start, Dupin is surrounded by images of smoke. In the opening line of the story, he smokes a "meerschaum" pipe. The narrator comments that Dupin seems to be "intently and exclusively occupied with the curling eddies of smoke that oppressed the atmosphere of the chamber" (Poe,6). Later, Dupin speaks "amid a perfect whirlwind of smoke" (9). Smoke is an intangible, curling, whirling, rounded image, with a shape and form that continually change. The disorderliness of the image that repeatedly characterizes Dupin is emphasized most poignantly when smoke literally breaks up the linearity of his sentences; "Whypuff, puffyou mightpuff, puffemploy counsel in the matter, eh?- puff, puff, puff. Do you remember the story they tell us of Abernathy?" (13) The puffs of Dupin's pipe, with their rounded paths interrupt Dupin's linear sentence. They not only break up...

Discussion wk5 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Discussion wk5 - Essay Example Binge eating disorder is characterized by eating a lot of food at once. Primary health problems include obesity, high cholesterol levels, gastrointestinal complications, osteoarthritis, and sleep apnea among others. Eating disorders may lead to many health problems. For instance, Night eating syndrome may cause sleep apnea, abdominal distention, anemia, preeclampsia, and other obstetric complications. Compulsive overeating disorder may lead to obesity, high cholesterol levels, gastrointestinal complications, and osteoarthritis, among others. Bulimia nervosa may cause hypokalemia, boerhaave syndrome, gastro paresis, dehydration among others. Undeniably, obesity has many health complications. However, measures to control obesity are sometimes predisposing factors to more problems. Although I was quite familiar with some of the health complications associated with obesity, I had not realized that treatments for obesity could present worse complications. For instance, I have learned that homeopathic weight loss remedy by use of products containing the hormone (Human chorionic gonadotropin) HCG can cause such serious health effects. It is therefore important to control obesity using appropriate methods (Hellminch, 2011). It also caught my attention that sedentary behavior is indeed a contributing factor towards overweight, obesity, and cardiovascular complications. Although this field is receiving heightened attention from researchers, it is evident that the complications result from failure to expend extra calories. Although sedentary behavior is not classified as an eating disorder, it can cause complications such as obes ity that is often classified within the reams of eating disorders. Hellminch, N. (2011). Feds crack down on homeopathic weight loss remedy. Retrieved from

Human Resource Management in an Organization Essay

Human Resource Management in an Organization - Essay Example As such, the organization most of the time decides to outsource these services from other organizations which can offer the service(s) required more efficiently. Other organizations outsource so seriously that they end up co-opting the organization as part of itself thereby creating what is generally termed as the virtual network structure. This paper seeks to highlight the concept of co-opting, outsourcing and virtual network structure. It also explains why virtual network structure is a good structural alternative for some firms and by using one organization as an example, the benefits and limitations of the virtual network structure are evaluated. Outsourcing refers to the transfer of some organizational functions to an external service provider. This kind of arrangement is contractual and it happens between the organization and the supplier of the services that the organization requires. Mostly, the supplier of services through the contract is able to use the means of production it already owns. These means of production may be in form of assets, equipment and personnel among others. For the entire period of the contract, the organization is able to procure the required services from the contracted service provider. It is important to note that outsourcing can be done for a number of services. These services include but are not limited to human resource, estate management, accounting, information technology and auditing among others. Other outsourced services also include customer care or service telemarketing, designing and/or manufacturing and market research among others. The decision to outsource is preceded by a number of cost considerations among other considerations. Usually, the organization has to decide whether to outsource a given service or organizational function or conduct it in-house. It is important to note that the decision to outsource is a strategic level decision and as such requires the approval of the board of directors. The process of outsourcing usually begins after the decision is made after which the organization analyzes the in-house as compared to the buying of the services in terms of cost, efficiency, effectiveness, performance, quality etc in a bid to justify the decision of outsourcing (Chopra & Meindl, 2007: pp123-127). The complexity of the outsourcing process calls for the use of outsourcing consultants or intermediaries who not only help with the scoping but also with the legal terms and conditions, pricing and evaluating the vendors offering the required service(s). Outsourcing has been around for some time now and is as old as specialization itself but in the recent years most companies have embraced outsourcing so as to handle most narrow functions e.g. data entry billing and payroll among other organizational functions. Outsourcing of these functions is done because the contracted organizations can perform the functions more efficiently than when the functions could have been done in-house. Outsourcing of these functions is more often than not more cost effective than the opposite of it because the contracted companies have all the facilities, assets, specially trained human resource and special tools for the functions they have been contracted to carry out. Most of the times outsourcing is sought, it ends up being a success albeit this is not always the case. The success is

Recording, Analysing & Using HR Information Essay Example for Free

Recording, Analysing Using HR Information Essay This document will review the organisation’s approach to collecting, storing and using HR data. It will cover why the organisation needs to collect HR data, the different types of data that is collected and how it is beneficial to HR, different storing methods and their benefit and UK legislation relating to the recording, storage and access to HR data. HR data contains highly sensitive information such as salary, pension information, grievances, and basic personnel information (name, address, and telephone details). A fine can be enforced up to ? 500. 000 in an organisation is found to have breached data protection. Data Management: There are many different reasons why an organisation needs to collect HR data from ensuring legal requirements are meet, to provide relevant information in decision making and planning, health and safety, protection from claims, working time directive. If used correctly it can serve as a very useful management tool. Holding recruitment new starter paperwork that contains a national insurance number and passport picture is essential to proving someone is eligible to work in the UK, without proof of eligibility the organisation can face a fine. Inductions record when an employee has been through the necessary requirements to do their role such as a health and safety course, and manual handling. This can protect the organisation if a claim was to rise with regards to injury or illness. If an employee raises a grievance as they have reached an unacceptable level of sickness. We can use the data held on our systems with regard to absences to prove when they have been in work and for how long, if we keep meeting notes we can also prove how we evaluated the situation and the action that was taken which can be used if it went to a tribunal, or if HR was looking at process management. The Inland Revenue can request data at any point from mileage, expenses, salary, national insurance, therefore it is essential we keep records such as P60, payslips, expense reports so this data can be crossed checked and proof that we have paid an employee correctly. Data Storage: From the moment an application is received to the moment an employee receives their P45 an organisation holds data. We call this the ‘Life Cycle of and Employee. ’ There are two methods in which we store data: Manual Records: This can be filing cabinets and folders held within storage cupboards. His is kept mainly as a backup should electronic systems fail or where original documents must be retained as a legal requirement such as a maternity MATB1 form. The benefits of this are the data is easily accessible and will not be prone to any electrical power failures or computerised scams which corrupt data. However there is the risk of keys being lost or data being seen by unauthorised personnel if it is not put away correctly. To prevent such occurrence a clear desk policy could be implemented. Systems: This can be excel spreadsheets that hold reports and link to other systems such as SAP, which is where we hold employee information such as address, salary, pension, hours worked, absences. The benefits of this method means you do not have to search numerous files as the data is held in one place, which is useful if an employee data request is received. As a sustainable organisation it benefits the environment as we don’t use paper. Documents are easily maintained and can be moved to different servers or USB devices for storage.

Should Baseball Ban the DH? :: essays research papers

Should Baseball Ban the DH?   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The designated hitter rule has positively influenced Major League Baseball since the American League adopted it in 1973. Not only should it be upheld in the American League, but should also be adopted in the National League. The DH rule allows a designated hitter to bat for pitchers in the batting order.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  One of the biggest reasons that the DH should be used is that pitchers can’t hit. Who would you rather see, Manny Ramirez, who had a batting average of .327 last season, or Randy Johnson, who only batted .127. The majority of baseball fans would rather see a batter that can hit the ball instead of a pitcher swinging and missing.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The commissioner is in favor of abolishing the DH, but there is one problem. â€Å"The problem is that the all-mighty players’ union loves the DH because it creates an extra roster spot and enables good hitters to hang on for several years after their prime.† If the players want the DH rule then we should keep it. Why get rid of something that the players don’t want to get rid of. Japan and the National League are the only two places not using the DH.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Another reason to keep the DH is that it does allow good hitters to keep playing baseball. Without the DH position, the careers of many great players would have been cut short. Hall-of-famer Eddie Murray and future hall-of-famers Harold Baines and Paul Molitor finished their careers as designated hitters. Eddie Murray and Paul Molitor were able to reach 3,000 hit plateau thanks to the DH rule, and as a result fans were able to watch them in action for years after they otherwise would have had to retire.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  It’s almost certain that the Seattle Mariners’ Edgar Martinez, who is 40 and still hitting .331 this past season, would no longer be playing in the Major Leagues if the designated hitter rule did not exist. According to a 2002 Sports Illustrated article, â€Å"This man is an athlete, as pure a hitter as they come, and he still contributes to his team.† It is unfair to players like Martinez to abolish the DH rule.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Critics say that it takes away from the way the game is supposed to be played. The rule, actually brings out the pureness of the game. It lets the hitters concentrate on hitting and the pitchers on pitching.

Cheque Truncation System

Lawyersclubindia Article : Cheque truncation in the Indian Scenario Page 1 of 3 Cheque truncation in the Indian Scenario During the last two decades or so the attitude and lifestyle of the consumers of banking service have been influenced by the advancement in technology. In tune with technological changes the banksaâ‚ ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ delivery system has to undergo tremendous transformation. The financial reforms process has enabled many competitors to enter the financial services market with a higher degree of efficiency and customer friendly behaviour. The public sector banks although reacted promptly to the new challenges, have not kept pace with the new entrants in the arena because of their inherent limitations. Under the impact of technology, the banks have been trying to innovate newer products and services to become more competitive in the ever demanding customer driven market. The technology has made it possible for the banks to come to terms with the demands of customers. The system of cheque truncation is prevalent in several foreign countries. Denmark and Belgium are the pioneers in the truncation system. They adopted complete cheque truncation system more than two decades ago. Sweden is the typical example for having achieved complete truncation where all the cheques can be presented and encashed at any branch; irrespective of the bank on which they are drawn. The process of cheque truncation is not only quick but also meets the requirements of future electronic transactions. In India the collection and payment of cheques is governed by the provisions of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881 which requires that the instruments must be in writing and have to be physically presented for payment in due course (before the amendment in the Negotiable Instruments Act). In view of this requirement the time taken for the processing of cheques, etc. was long particularly for the outstation cheques. In a country like India, the time taken for collection of outstation cheques is rather tiring for the customers. With the advent of technology, the Government of India and Reserve Bank of India took initiative to improve the customer service. The working group constituted in 1982 to consider the feasibility of introduction of MICR/OCR technology for cheque processing recommended that India should join SWIFT (Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication) Network for the transmission and reception of international financial messages as well as instil electronic forms of monetary transaction in the Indian economic transactions. The term aâ‚ ¬? hequeaâ‚ ¬ has been defined in Section 6 of the Negotiable Instruments Act as aâ‚ ¬? bill of exchange drawn on a specified banker and not expressed to be payable otherwise than on demandaâ‚ ¬ . As per definition it is essential that cheque should be presented for payment. But in truncation, the physical cheque is not presented but only its image shall be transmitted to the paying branch. ** In common parlance the word aâ‚ ¬? tru ncatedaâ‚ ¬ means deformed, disfigured, mutilated, etc. As per the Negotiable Instruments Act, the truncated cheque means a cheque which is truncated during the course of a clearing cycle. The process of truncation requires the banker to convert the cheque data into electronic form for the purpose of safe keeping or to return the cheques at the request of the banker or to provide information on cheques as and when requested. The cheque in the electronic form means a cheque which contains the exact mirror image of a paper cheque and is generated, written and signed in a secure system ensuring minimum safety standards with the use of digital signatures (with or without biometric signature) and http://www. lawyersclubindia. com/articles/print_this_page. asp? rticle_id=250 7/24/2011 Lawyersclubindia Article : Cheque truncation in the Indian Scenario Page 2 of 3 asymmetric crypto system. Features of truncated cheque system With the advent of technology and cyber era, security of the system has acquired prime importance. No doubt, the financial institutions have started providing fast services than ever before. But the technology has brought in its trail security problem als o. Under the cheque truncation system, therefore, the image of the cheque is captured at the point of deposit where it is sealed and encrypted before its transmission. This renders it tamper proof. This is done strictly as per international standards. The transmission between the presenting, paying and payee bank is authenticated by a certificate authority as part of the public key infrastructure. The process of image certification at the banks is certified by an independent auditor to ensure that it conforms to the requirements of the laws of evidence of that country. Under the cheque truncation system all cheques are transmitted electronically. The original cheques are retained by the collecting banker. Indian scenario Truncation of cheques can be done by the clearing house or the bank which collects the truncated version of the cheque. As per Section 81 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, the banker who receives the payment, is also supposed to retain the copy of the cheque even after payment has been done. Section 89 of the Negotiable Instruments Act says that any distinction between the original cheque and the truncated image should be construed as material alteration. In such cases it is obligatory on the part of the clearing house or the bank to ensure the correctness of the truncated image while transmitting the image. An explanation has been added to Section 131 of the Negotiable Instruments Act vide the Negotiable Instruments (Amendment and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2002. It says that it shall be the duty of the banker who receives payment based on an electronic image of a truncated cheque to ensure that there is no fraud, forgery or tampering apparent on the face of the instrument. It would be seen that after the amendment the responsibility of the collecting bank has increased manifold. Earlier it was the position that if he collects any instrument in good faith and without negligence he was not liable for any fraud, etc. But after the amendment it is obligatory upon the collecting bank to verify the genuineness of the cheque with greater degree i. e. due diligence. Hence the cheque truncation system has burdened the collecting banker with a greater degree of responsibility. As per sub section (2) of Section 64 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, where an electronic image of a truncated cheque is presented for payment, the drawee bank is entitled to demand any further information regarding the truncated cheque from the bank holding the truncated cheque in case of any reasonable suspicion. Two new sub-sections have been added to Section 89. As per these sub sections any difference in apparent tenor of electronic image and the truncated cheque shall be a material alteration and it shall be the duty of the bank or the clearing ouse, as the case may be, to ensure the exactness of the apparent tenor of electronic image of the truncated cheque while truncating and transmitting the image. In spite of the advantages, the truncation system has its own drawbacks. The truncated cheques are vulnerable to fraudsters who can hack into this system and change the contents of the cheques. So the security of the system must be ensured. RBI has taken upon itself setting up of a safe, secure and http://www. lawyersclubindia. com/articles/print_this_page. asp? article_id=250 7/24/2011 Lawyersclubindia Article : Cheque truncation in the Indian Scenario Page 3 of 3 efficient communication network for the exclusive use of the banking sector known as INFINET (Indian Financial Network). This network is already being used by a large number of banks for transfer of funds. INFINET uses the latest technology and security called PKI (Public Key Infrastructure) which is within the legal requirements of the Information Technology Act, 2000. Source : – http://www. ebc-india. com/practicallawyer/index. php? option=com_content&task=view&id=8047&Itemid=54 http://www. lawyersclubindia. com/articles/print_this_page. asp? article_id=250 7/24/2011