Computer power and human reason

from judgement to calculation

No cover

Joseph Weizenbaum: Computer power and human reason (W. H. Freeman)

300 pages

English language

Published by W. H. Freeman.

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4 stars (2 reviews)

9 editions

a barnacled treasure

3 stars

Often rambling, ranting, and rigorous in odd measure, still a strong critique of computers-substituted-for-intelligence-AI. Computers ought not do some things we will come to believe they are capable of: through the instrumentalist and reductionist narrowing of rationality (and history) to what is computable and recordable; mistaking analogies and models of humans as information processors; and compulsive, addictive, and imperialist closing off of multiple and incommensurate perspectives.

Subjects

  • Computers.
  • Computers and civilization.
  • Programming (Electronic computers)