Hello and a warm welcome Glauber! Thanks for the introduction hope to see you in the forums.

Hi! So you like Philosophy and computing. I think you would like The Myth of the Computer by John Searle. I don't know if you're familiar with it, but this has everything you are interested in in a five page article, "mind as computer" and what not. Welcome!

Hello VideCorSpoon,

Thank you for the indication, I'd never heard about this article. Could you please tell me if that's the full version of it in this url? The Myth of the Computer - The New York Review of Books

Thats it! Word for word! I think you'll like the Chinese room argument, it is one of my favorites.

First, his idea and conception of computers is really outdated, because he wrote it before the super information age... so bear with him.

Also, when you go through the article, you'll come across the word "qua" as in "...and qua computer it isn't..." every so often. I have never been able to find a good explanation for this word on google, but this is what it means. qua means "computer as the computer as and in itelf" alone. This is a metaphysical concept. Its like the idea of just a computer and nothing else, not the programs on it or the color of the computer or the size, shape, etc. Just the idea of a computer, like a platonic form.

enjoy! Hope to discuss it with you.

Heya!
I gotta go read that now, so I can figure out what qua means...

That's great Aristoddler! You like Glaubber express interest in mind/ body connectivity. I hope you indeed find meaning of qua, it seems like its a difficult concept to grasp in general as I have come to understand from various postings. Good for You!!!

'Qua', as defined in an online dictionary, "...In the capacity or character of."
Maybe, in some instances 'qua' may refer to the definition of the word?

Yup, from the Ludwig Institute website.


Qua, (Latin). Considered as; in the capacity or character of; as far as; as.
Glossary, Qua - Monetary theory of the trade cycle

You bring up a really good point. You could take "qua" to mean the definition of a word. So if I said "being qua being" in the respect Aristotle and used your translation of the word, we get "being as the definition of being." This ties in logically to the additional contexts of the definition, "being as far as being" and "being as being."

I agree with you Edvin, definition is an acceptable translation. I agree also because the etymology of definition "dei-fini" means in "to make finite." This fits snug in Aristotle's metaphysical contexts. Good point.

From what I've been reading so far, I believe that he used qua as a fictional word to express a metaphor.
I also believe that that metaphor is used to help us familiarize ourself with what qua is defined as, technically.
Still reading though.