Brief Description

A set of 7 poster-sized argumentation maps that chart the entire history of the debate. The maps outline arguments put forth since 1950 by more than 380 cognitive scientists, philosophers, artificial intelligence researchers, mathematicians, and others.

Every map presents 100 or more major claims, each of which is summarized succinctly and placed in visual relationship to the other arguments that it supports or disputes. The maps, thus, both show the intellectual history of this interdisciplinary debate and display its current status. Claims are further organized into more than 70 issue areas, or major branches of the arguments.  Here is Map Number 1 (actual size 3 by 4 feet; may take 30 seconds-1 minute to download):

To see details of the map, go to publisher's web site <www.macrovu.com>

The Seven Maps

Here is a list of the seven maps of the Can computers think? series are:

• Map 1: Can computers think?
• Map 2: Can the Turing test determine whether computers can think?
• Map 3: Can physical symbol systems think?
• Map 4: Can Chinese Rooms think?
• Map 5, Part 1: Can connectionist networks think?
• Map 5, Part 2: Can computers think in images?
• Map 6: Do computers have to be conscious to think?
• Map 7: Are thinking computers mathematically possible?

Details and Features

Among the features that make the argumentation maps in the Can Computers Think? series useful for teaching and learning are:

• Clear branches that tie together claims, rebuttals, and counterrebuttals. This way you can you find out if an argument has been answered and the rebuttal answered.
• Historical and explanatory sidebars. Included are 32 sidebars that help students understand concepts and background.
• Philosophic camps. Many of the arguments arise out of the meeting of quite different schools of philosophy, which start from different basic assumptions. Included are descriptions in the form of postulates of ten of these schools.
• Illustrated thought experiments and concepts. When a particular concept is heavily visual, line drawings portray the example.
• Graphic devices. Many arguments in this debate take the form of dilemmas. All such arguments are in the form of a graphic dilemma box, for clarity of reading.
• Definitions. Fifty definitions are included near the place where the term is introduced on the maps to make learning easier and quicker.
• Complete bibliography. All sources referenced on the maps are listed in the handbook.
• Index of protagonists. You can look up participants in the debate and see on which chart (and box number) their arguments appear.
• Other cross references. In many of the boxes are links to similar arguments or other supporting arguments.

Specifications

• Size. Each maps is 3 x 4 feet each folded to 9 x 12 inches
• Color. Elegantly printed in color
• Number of arguments. 97-130 claims and rebuttals per map
• Total number of moves. Total of over 800 major moves in the debates summarized and threaded into claims, rebuttals, and counterrebuttals, arranged so that the current stopping point of each thread is easily seen
• Issue areas. Organized into over 70 issue areas
• Sidebars. 43 sidebars provide history and further background
• History. A chronological intellectual history
• Frontier of argument. Current status (or frontier) of debate easily identifiable
• Number of protagonists. Identifies original arguments by over 380 protagonists world-wide, hence provides intellectual history of the debate
• Philosophical camps. Eleven major philosophical camps of the protagonists (or schools) summarized

The Handbook

The Handbook contains:

• Explanation of methodology of mapping arguments
• Criteria for inclusion of moves in the debates
• Complete bibliography of over 480 references cited on the maps
• Index of 380 protagonists

Sources

Major journals and books as well as important contributions from hard-to-find journals, often missed even by experts. The team read over 1,000 sources, threw away over 500 , and used almost that many to produce the maps.

Navigation aids

Over 300 icons and illustrations provide easy-to-return-to landmarks, designate major debate regions, and clarify interrelationships between arguments and counterclaims. Over 60 photos identify key players.