The results of my lab do not support the view on humans as machines. Machines, although imperfect are very regular and perform their functions in a predictable and consistent trend. The patterns I acquired as results were not completely inconsistent but definitely not comparable with a machine. Humans may compare with machines on a mechanical level, in the way we receive stimulus and respond through a set order of functions. Although we relate on that level, based on my data, the view that humans are equivalent to machines is false.
Based on my left hand's data I would totally agree with you; the results were all over the place! Also, when you say, "humans may compare with machines on a mechanical level" I believe you are referring to the microprocesses which occur on the molecular and cellular level of the human body that allow us to live and think and move. I completely agree with this notion and find it interesting that we become "human" on a large scale. We are living organisms, that do not act like machines (ex. we can learn and improve over time) made up of a bunch of tiny machine like particles. It is an interesting paradox and I think it only adds to our complexity as a living organism. In conclusion, I do not believe that humans are comparable to machines on a large scale as described in chapter 2 of Gleitman; however, on a microscopic scale, we all consist of a bunch of tiny machines doing their repetitive duties day after day.
I completely ignored the more biological part of the human = machine thought, I was thinking about it from a more general, metaphorical point of view. I feel a bit silly, but I think the point still stands. Even though the human body is put together in a way that seems machine-like, with all the organs and blood pumping and creaking along without a glitch (hopefully), I feel we still aren't very machine-like. If the brain makes everyone unique, due to the nature of thoughts and personalities, then no one will have the same reaction to an event. Even as something as small as catching a ruler, which doesn't depend on having any sort of personality, is shown to be inconsistent. When situations get more complex, reactions won't even be comparable, they'll be so different. I think.
-- Edited by Crazy Diamond on Wednesday 16th of September 2009 12:16:15 PM
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