Saturday, March 31, 2012

[PL 211] Turing's syllogism

Alan Turing once wrote to a friend that he is afraid that the following syllogism may be used to dismiss his ideas:
  1. Turing believes machines think.
  2. Turing lies with men.
  3. Therefore, machines do not think. (Letter to Norman Routledge)
Turing undoubtedly realized that the conclusion does not follow from the premises.  But he was afraid that people would use this argument against him anyway.

What is the main problem with this argument? Is it simply a non sequitur? Is it a fallacious ad hominem? Is it both?


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