Skip to content

The original question, 'Can machines think?' I believe to…

“The original question, 'Can machines think?' I believe to be too meaningless to deserve discussion.” quote by Alan Turing
Download Open image
“The original question, 'Can machines think?' I believe to be too meaningless to deserve discussion.”

Alan Turing

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The question of whether machines can think is considered too vague to be useful for serious discussion.

In simple terms: The phrase “can machines think?” is meaningless.

Key Takeaway

Focus on concrete AI capabilities.

Themes

philosophy AI language

Mood

analytical inquisitive

Type

philosophical technical

When to use this quote

  • research
  • ethics
  • technology policy

Key Concepts

semantics mind‑machine distinction

Questions to Reflect On

  • How can we reframe AI debates productively?
  • What measurable criteria define machine intelligence?
A Different Perspective

Over‑abstract questions can stall progress.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet

More by Alan Turing

Explore all 42 Alan Turing quotes

More Believe quotes

Browse all 47,704 Believe quotes