Explanation vs Training
From PI 5: Children are taught languages by training them, and not by explaining things to them.
I am reminded of this short story by Asimov, in which there is this robot, which believes in a 'higher' purpose. It holds some beam steady over a storm, saving the lives of people with him on the space station. The interesting part was that the robot doesn't do it to save the people, but to fulfill his duties to this higher being (or something like that). It does its job well.
The fact that all knowledge bottoms out to training (by external or internal sources), makes me incredibly uncomfortable.
I am reminded of this short story by Asimov, in which there is this robot, which believes in a 'higher' purpose. It holds some beam steady over a storm, saving the lives of people with him on the space station. The interesting part was that the robot doesn't do it to save the people, but to fulfill his duties to this higher being (or something like that). It does its job well.
The fact that all knowledge bottoms out to training (by external or internal sources), makes me incredibly uncomfortable.
posted by Balachandran C at 2:50 PM
2 Comments:
I dont know whether training would be the apt word for such a process. But yes the knowledge as such at present is got by the internal or external process you referred. Meaning we are extremely dependant upon the situation and its surroundings.
Btw the asimovs example reminds me of those monks who serve people to serve god. I find that ridiculous in the least.
I am not too sure whether all knowledge is acquired by training, but there is definitely some duality between knowledge and smartness. Either one can substitute for the other within some limits.
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