--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: A computer is a great device because it…" description: "\"A computer is a great device because it enables you to do anything which is automatic, anything that you don't need your understanding for. Understandi..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2c1/roger-penrose-10729_anything_a-computer-is-a-great-device-because-it_1387802.jpg" --- # A computer is a great device because it enables you to do… ![“A computer is a great device because it enables you to do anything which is automatic, anything that you don't need your understanding for. Understanding is outside a computer. It doesn't understand.” quote by Roger Penrose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2c1/roger-penrose-10729_anything_a-computer-is-a-great-device-because-it_1387802.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2c1/roger-penrose-10729_anything_a-computer-is-a-great-device-because-it_1387802.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2c1/roger-penrose-10729_anything_a-computer-is-a-great-device-because-it_1387802.jpg) > “A computer is a great device because it enables you to do anything which is automatic, anything that you don't need your understanding for. Understanding is outside a computer. It doesn't understand.” [Roger Penrose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-penrose/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Computers excel at automating tasks but lack genuine understanding; they operate without consciousness. **In simple terms:** Computers do tasks automatically but don’t understand. Key Takeaway Recognize the limits of automation. Themes technology automation human cognition Mood analytical thoughtful Type philosophical technical When to use this quote - Software development - education - decision making Key Concepts Artificial intelligence computational limits Questions to Reflect On - When do you rely on intuition over tools? - Can machines ever truly understand? A Different Perspective Human insight is still essential for meaning. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Computer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/computer/) [Computers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/computers/) [Learning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/learning/) [Technology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/technology/) [Understanding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/understanding/) ## Related quotes > [I got my computer. 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We got consciousness not just by being clever.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-penrose/a-computational-device-is-incapable-of-developing-a-mind-we-got/) [Roger Penrose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-penrose/) > [It is hard to see how one could begin to develop a quantum-theoretical description of brain action when one might well have to regard…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-penrose/it-is-hard-to-see-how-one-could-begin-to-develop-a-quantum/) [Roger Penrose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-penrose/) > [It may well be there is something else going on in the brain that we don't have an inkling of at the moment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-penrose/it-may-well-be-there-is-something-else-going-on-in-the-brain-that-we/) [Roger Penrose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-penrose/) > [As for morality, well that's all tied up with the question of consciousness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-penrose/as-for-morality-well-that-s-all-tied-up-with-the-question-of/) [Roger Penrose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-penrose/) > [The basic theory in twistor theory is not to add extra dimensions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-penrose/the-basic-theory-in-twistor-theory-is-not-to-add-extra-dimensions/) [Roger Penrose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-penrose/) > [I used to make polyhedra with my father. 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