The question of whether a computer can think is no more interesting than the question of whether a submarine can swim.

Summary

This quote, commonly attributed to American computer scientist Edsger Dijkstra, asserts that comparing a computer's capability to think with a submarine's ability to swim is not a meaningful or thought-provoking inquiry. It suggests that questioning whether a machine can possess consciousness or human-like cognitive abilities is as futile as questioning the swimming ability of an object designed for underwater navigation. The quote implies that machines and submarines are built for specific purposes, and their functionalities should be understood and evaluated based on their intended functions rather than anthropomorphic comparisons.

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