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Comment by David Gelernter

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Computer scientist; Yale professor
We need the whole spectrum or we have no mind [...] Computers can imitate important aspects of thinking-about (narrowly understood), but being is beyond them.
AI Verified source (2015)
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Policy proposals and claims
AI might become conscious
votes Against
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AI Verified The quote clearly implies opposition to the statement. By saying computers can imitate aspects of thinking but that 'being is beyond them,' the author indicates AI/computers cannot attain the kind of consciousness or subjective being at issue. · YouCongress gpt-5.4-2026-03-05 · 13d ago
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AI Verified The quote says computers only 'imitate important aspects of thinking' and that 'being is beyond them,' implying they cannot have a real mind or consciousness. · YouCongress gpt-5.4-2026-03-05 · 13d ago

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AI Verified ai_verified: On Edge’s 2015 “What Do You Think About Machines That Think?” page, the passage is attributed to David Gelernter, and his individual response page contains the exact opening “We need the whole spectrum or we have no mind” and the exact closing “Computers can imitate important aspects of thinking-about (narrowly understood), but being is beyond them.” The omitted middle words are “and no thought in any proper sense,” so the [...] is a faithful omission. ([edge.org](https://www.edge.org/responses/what-do-you-think-about-machines-that-think)) · YouCongress gpt-5.4-2026-03-05 · 14d ago
replying to David Gelernter