Boom or Doom? - by Paul Thagard (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

A novel philosophical and psychological examination of the strengths and risks of the new AI.

The new AI models are already raising difficult questions about knowledge, mind, agency, values, creativity, and regulations to shape future developments. These questions are deeply philosophical, dependent on general and normative issues concerning the nature of thought, reasoning, morals, art, and politics. In Boom or Doom?, Paul Thagard offers an intensive investigation of the social, scientific, technological, and humanistic consequences of recent developments in AI.

The book features:

• Principled investigation of the prospects of the new AI for achieving knowledge and intelligence, considering recent developments such as chain-of-thought reasoning
• Appraisal of general intelligence and superintelligence based on a comprehensive theory of the features and mechanisms of intelligence
• Assessment of the emerging "agentic" AI and robotic applications of AI
• Review of areas in which AI can produce human benefits, and of areas of great risk
• Evaluation of the most plausible causal scenarios that could lead to human subordination or extinction
• Application of a new theory of government regulation to artificial intelligence

A broad and rigorous guide to the questions about morality and knowledge raised by AI, Boom or Doom? is essential reading for anyone who wants to go beyond doomsday hyperbole and exaggerated glorification of our newest technology.

Review Quotes

ENDORSEMENTS

"Boom or Doom? is a masterpiece. Paul Thagard's expertise in both philosophy and psychology--and his own personal history with AI--make him the ideal guide for this occasionally terrifying but always hopeful tour of the new world that AI has thrust upon us. Thagard's case for the role of philosophy is especially heartening, as he demonstrates through both word and deed why a thinking machine cannot (yet) measure up to the full analytical and ethical powers of a master philosopher at the top of his game."
--Lee McIntyre, author of On Disinformation and How to Talk to a Science Denier

"In Boom or Doom?, the eminent philosopher and cognitive scientist Paul Thagard applies his broad and pragmatic philosophical perspective to modern generative AI. He provides an accessible introduction to the discipline of philosophy and to artificial intelligence research, points out the mutual implications of these fields for each other, and provides thoughtful recommendations for maximizing the potential and minimizing the risks of AI. Anyone with an interest in understanding AI and ensuring it plays a positive role in the world will benefit from a careful reading of this book."
-- James L. McClelland, Stanford University; coauthor of Parallel Distributed Processing

About the Author

Paul Thagard is a philosopher, cognitive scientist, and author of 18 interdisciplinary books. He is Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Philosophy at the University of Waterloo. His books include Bots and Beasts (MIT Press) and Dreams, Jokes, and Song.