Paradigms

=Paradigms= Each group will have 2 teams which will debate one of the topics. Half of your group takes the positive side of the topic and the other half takes the negative side. So if your topic is "Can computers think?", one half will take the positive point of view, "Yes, computers can think!" and they would have reasons why that position is correct. The other half takes the opposing view that no, computers cannot really think and present reasons for that point of view. Each half of the group will also make a poster which summarizes their position. It does not matter for this assignment what you actually think; your job is to find evidence and make a reasonable case for the side you are assigned. Think like an attorney. Your job is to represent your client.

Paradigms Directions
====﻿ [|Paradigms-directions.doc]====

Topics
1) Did life arise by natural processes here on earth?
 * Abiogenesis - [] *
 * Long and complex [|http://student.science.uva.nl/~jckastel/html/abiogenesis.pdf]

2) Is human behavior determined by our genes?
 * Hereditarianism - []
 * Neo-Darwinism - []
 * Pangenesis - []
 * Sociobiology - []
 * Evolutionary Psychology - []
 * Nature VS. Nurture - [] *
 * Empiricism - []
 * Behaviorism - []

3) Will computers ever be able to actually think?
 * [] print this page and the next page – it’s a 2 page article *
 * Strong AI - []
 * Philosophy of AI - []
 * Searle’s Chinese Room - []
 * Blockhead - [|http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blockhead_(computer_system])

4) Is there Extraterrestrial Life?
 * Extraterrestrial Life - [] *
 * Rare Earth hypothesis - []
 * Exobiology - []

5) Are humans the only animals that can have language?
 * Universal Grammar - []
 * Ability for grammar hardwired - []
 * Song birds brain vocal skills - []
 * Birds share language gene with humans - []
 * Could Chomsky be wrong? - [] *
 * Linguistics - []

For extra credit
 * 1) How real is the real world?
 * You Tube video - [] or [] how to use your wiki.