Alan Turing, Computing Machinery And Intelligence - Computers As Learning Machines

Alan Turing, Computing Machinery And Intelligence - Computers As Learning Machines

Author: Lectures on classic and contemporary philosophical texts and thinkers by Gregory B. Sadler July 7, 2026 Duration: 15:52
This lecture discusses key ideas from the 20th century philosopher, mathematician, and computer scientist, Alan Turing's article "Computing Machinery And Intelligence", published in 1950 in the journal Mind. This is an important early work on artificial intelligence, which proposes what later has come to be called the "Turing Test". Specifically it examines his dicussion at the end, motivated originally by what he calls "Lady Lovelace's Objection", namely that a machine cannot actually take the information it has and come up with something novel or original, or put another way, it cannot do anything it has not been programmed to do. Turing is interested in whether a digital computer could be developed that would be able to "learn" in some sense, and he postulates the creation of a child computer which then would go through a process of education, and considers what would be involved in this To support my ongoing work, go to my Patreon site - www.patreon.com/sadler If you'd like to make a direct contribution, you can do so here - www.paypal.me/ReasonIO - or at BuyMeACoffee - www.buymeacoffee.com/A4quYdWoM You can find over 4500 philosophy videos in my main YouTube channel - www.youtube.com/user/gbisadler Get Alan Turing's "Computing Machinery And Intelligence" here - https://courses.cs.umbc.edu/471/papers/turing.pdf

For those drawn to deep, sustained engagement with ideas, Sadler's Lectures offers a quiet space for intellectual exploration. Guided by Gregory B. Sadler, this audio series transforms his extensive library of video lectures into a purely auditory experience, allowing listeners to immerse themselves in close readings and thoughtful commentaries on philosophical works. The discussions span the entire tradition, from the foundational texts of Plato and Aristotle to the complex arguments of modern and contemporary thinkers. Each episode functions as a self-contained lecture, carefully unpacking concepts, tracing arguments, and clarifying the nuances that make these texts enduring. The approach is scholarly yet accessible, prioritizing clarity and understanding over performative debate. This podcast is built for anyone seeking to supplement their studies, revisit classic ideas, or simply think alongside a knowledgeable guide during a commute or walk. The existence and ongoing conversion of this material into podcast form is made possible directly by listener support through Patreon, a testament to the community value found in this educational resource. Tune in for a direct, unadorned journey through the landscapes of philosophy, one thinker and one text at a time.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Sadler's Lectures
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Plutarch, On Moral Virtue - Virtue As A Mean - Sadler's Lectures [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 13:08
This lecture discusses key ideas from the ancient philosopher and biographer Plutarch's short work On Moral Virtue This episode focuses specifically on his discussion about how virtue is a mean, which bears some similari…