Essays On Philosophy

In 2002 I graduated with a Diploma in Philosophy from Oxford University. I have delivered public talks on the philosophy of 'artificial intelligence' (AI) based upon much of my early work in the pioneering days of 'logic programming' and 'expert systems'. This is a collection of essays I have written on topics of particular interest.

Artificial Intelligence and the Mind

• Is the Brain a Computer?
• Is Connectionism the Saviour of Artificial Intelligence?
• Could a Machine Have a Mind?

Language and Meaning

• Is it Possible to Speak a Private Language?
• Do the Terms Analytic and Synthetic Have any Meaning?
• How Can We Ever Understand Each Other?

Metaphysics

• Can We Justify Our Belief in an External World?
• Spinoza's Concept of Substance

Politics

• Is a Utilitarianism Society A Happy One?
• Can Mill's 'Liberty Principle' be Defended by a Utilitarian?

Miscellaneous

• Science - Has Popper Solved The Problem of Induction?
• Ethics - Are Moral Values Real or Subjective?
• Religion - The Fallacy of the Argument from Design