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eBook Category: Science Fiction
eBook Description: The classic Turing test holds that if the behavior of an AI robot or computer is indistinguishable from that of a human, then we have no basis to the deny that the AI has the equivalent of human intelligence. But what about a parrot that can successfully mimic human speech for at least a short time? The parrot objection is conquered in "The Enduring Test". [Note, though this story is science fiction, Paul Levinson draws on his work and writing in the philosophy of science and technology, and presents a serious, new scientific argument here.]

eBook Publisher: Fictionwise.com, Published: Nature, 2000
Fictionwise Release Date: October 2002

62 Reader Ratings: Great Good OK Poor

Available eBook Formats [MultiFormat - What's this?]: Adobe Acrobat (PDF) [32 KB], eReader (PDB) [17 KB], Palm Doc (PDB) [3 KB], Rocket/REB1100 (RB) [4 KB], Microsoft Reader (LIT) [59 KB] - PocketPC 1.0+ Compatible, Franklin eBookMan (FUB) [72 KB], hiebook (KML) [40 KB], Sony Reader (LRF) [29 KB], iSilo (PDB) [3 KB], Mobipocket (PRC) [4 KB], Kindle Compatible (MOBI) [31 KB], OEBFF Format (IMP) [9 KB]
Words: 910
Reading time: 2-3 min.
Microsoft Reader (LIT) Format: Printing DISABLED, Read-Aloud ENABLED
Adobe Acrobat (PDF) Format:  Printing DISABLED, Read-Aloud DISABLED
All Other formats: Printing DISABLED, Read-aloud DISABLED

"How do I demonstrate my humanity to you?"

Her blue eyes glittered. Her mouth grew taut. She looked vividly human, in every way.

"You cannot," I replied, carefully. Every word had to be well chosen. "Humanity is not something that can be demonstrated. It is rather something that is."

She sipped slowly from a cup of tea, regarded it, then placed it back on the table. "And what it is that makes an individual human? I presume you're not talking about a soul?"

I smiled. She was good. "I am not," I replied. "As far as I can tell, most people believe that possession of a soul is strictly in the eyes of the beholder."

"Very well," she said. "So we see things the same on the soul count. What else do you hold essential to the condition of humanity? Is it in the way that the DNA comes to be?"

"I doubt it," I replied. "What does it matter if DNA is spliced and sewn together, thread by thread, or emerges all at once from some unplanned shuffle of the chromosomes? If the result is the same? Anyway, DNA is a blueprint, a recipe. The truth of humanity is in the eating."

"Very nice," she said, and nodded her appreciation.

"Thank you," I replied.