Are You a Machine?: The Brain, the Mind, And What It Means to Be Human

by Eliezer J. Sternberg

Right now, someone in an artificial intelligence lab is fusing silicon circuitry in an attempt to engineer the human mind. In a hospital, a neurosurgeon is attempting to influence a patient's emotions by firing electrical impulses into his brain. In a classroom, a teacher is explaining how neurons in the brain interact to generate thoughts, feelings, and decisions. The question of where consciousness comes from and how it works is likely the greatest...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1591024838
• ISBN13: 9781591024835
• Release Date: March 2007
• Publisher: Globe Pequot Publishing Group Inc/Bloomsbury
• Length: 176 Pages
• Weight: 0.48 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 6.1" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

An Intriguing but Superficial Exploration of the Existence and the Creation of Consciousness

In "Are You a Machine? The Brain, the Mind, and What It Means to Be Human," Eliezer Sternberg explores what it means to be a human versus what it means to be a machine. He introduces views of various philosophers on the concept of consciousness, the distinguishing factor between humans and machines. Although I found the book to be an extremely interesting read about the philosophy of consciousness, I was disappointed in how little the author actually discussed science of the brain. As state in the title, I expected the book to focus equally on the three topics: (1) the brain, (2) the mind, and (3) what it means to be human. As I progressed through the book however, I found that the several theories that the author discussed lacked any consideration for scientific data because they were mainly philosophical theories. As a student of both Science and Engineering, I found it extremely hard to take some of these theories seriously because they were based on the assumptions that seemed impractical, and at times silly. The book is composed of fifteen short chapters, each that starts with a scene from the author's life or a hypothetical situation. He uses the events or actions in this scene in the rest of the chapter to discuss, prove or disprove a theory of interest. Each individual chapter is well structured and cohesive, and it is easy to comprehend because the writing is in layman's terms. Although initially the book seems haphazardly organized, a closer look at the structure of the book shows that the author's organization is justified and comprehensible. While reading the book, it seemed to me that one chapter did not smoothly transition to the next. For example, the first chapter defines a "machine," but the second chapter jumps to the definition of consciousness without any true transition. At the completion of the book, however, the structure of the book is understood. The author starts the book by define the terms, machine (chapter 1) and consciousness (chapter 2), that he spends most of the book discussing. Next, he introduces the long lasting question of the relationship between body and mind, and some theories as to how philosophers have approached it until now (chapter 3). Next, he discusses how the how the brain might be connected to consciousness (chapter 4-5). The next major portion of the book contains various discussions on how consciousness could or could not exist in machines (chapter 6-9). The following chapters discuss what it means to be a human (chapters 10-14), and he ends the book with suggesting his own theory that combines portions of several theories presented in the book (chapter 15). The book mainly focused on the many different philosophical ideologies on consciousness. Because the entire book is an attempt to provide answers to the question "are you a machine?", the author develops a working definition of a machine in the beginning that he uses though out the book. He states that a machine is "a system of inter

A most interesting read about how we think and why

Sternberg's book examines the question of what makes us human, and more specifically what makes us different from machines, computers, and artificial intelligence. At a time when people talk about carbon-based intelligence versus silicon-based intelligence at dinner parties in the suburbs, posing this question in a scientific manner is both relevant to our times and much needed. In particular, Sternberg examines what it means to be conscious-not just awake, but aware and processing our surroundings in a uniquely human way. And, what makes us different from machines. Is it possible that some day scientists could understand enough about the way our brains work to understand how we love, how the creative process begins, and what constitutes joy and despair? Sternberg poses the fundamental questions: What is the difference between our brain, our mind, and our consciousness? What separates us from robots? He brings together science and philosophy and weaves them together in an easily accessible way that draws on biology, neuroscience, and common sense examples to illustrate his points. Sternberg asks us to consider our consciousness-how much we know about it and how ultimately private and unknowable it is. First, no one can know what we are thinking or imagining until we tell another person. Even then, we can filter out what we want to share from what we want to remain private. We can imagine things that are not tied to the physical world. In our minds we can be greater than Michael Jordan on the basketball court, receive the Nobel Prize or and Academy Award, walk on Mars, or reverse the course of previous actions. This short book is a fascinating examination of the mind and the brain. It is definitely a book for the layman, and Sternberg offers additional reading suggestions at the end of each chapter. He raises fascinating questions about who we are, addresses them in vivid ways, and challenges his readers to consider what discovery about consciousness might be just around the corner. Armchair Interviews says: If you're looking for a fascinating book to challenge your thinking about thinking, pick up Are You a Machine?

Best book ever!

In "Are You a Machine", the reader will find insight, inspiration, clarity of mind and spirit. In this book, you will find yourself. Eliezer has contributed a masterpiece to those who are interested in philosophy, technology, and human consciousness.

A Fascinating Exploration of a Crucial Question

Could we ever construct a robot with consciousness? If so, does that mean that we--all human beings--are machines? If not, what is it about a human being that could not be replicated by a machine? These are the questions that are addressed in this book, and in a really gripping way. The book is structured so that it feels like one long, interesting discussion between experts in the fields of neuroscience, philosophy of mind, artificial intelligence and others. Filled with illustrative examples, the book draws you into every concept immediately and doesn't let go. At points, I felt that it read like a novel that I couldn't put down. I haven't read many books on this topic, so the questions raised in the book really took me by storm and got me thinking about things like consciousness and free will in radically new ways. It's a really cool book. I definitely recommend it.

My Favorite Book

This book is certainly one of my favorite books. It is clear and easy to read, and the topic is extemely clever. I would recommend this book to anyone! I never found science particularly interesting before, but this book gave me an entirely new perspective on the brain and intellect. I anxiously await the author's next book.