Minds are not finite, automata are

At any given time, the mind only possesses a finite number of states, but as time progresses the mind constantly develops. This is shown by the fact that is always possible for minds to develop new methods of thought.

It is likely that the total number of possible mental states invovled in developing these methods converges to infinity withy time. But, on the other hand, the total number of possible Turing machine states will alwyas be finite.

Kurt Gödel, 1951.

Note:

Gödel claims that Turing's argument only becomes valid under the following two assumptions:

1) There is no mind separate from matter.

2) The brain functions basically like a digital computer.

Gödel believed that the secondary assumption was true but that the first was "merely a prejudice of our times" that would eventually be disproved." Wang, 1974, p.326.
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