Rajakishore Nath | IIT Bombay (original) (raw)
Papers by Rajakishore Nath
AI & society, Sep 19, 2022
Obnovljeni život
The present paper is concerned with a qualitative, analytical, and comparative method of explorin... more The present paper is concerned with a qualitative, analytical, and comparative method of exploring Buddhist perspectives on phenomenal consciousness. The phenomenal consciousness sciences have offered a mechanical explanation of the ‘how’ and ‘what’ of consciousness, but have failed to explain the ‘why’ of consciousness. The Buddhists have given a systematic explanation of conscious experience in Pancha–skandha, and it is in relation to the material world. In this scheme of things, consciousness is overly conditioned and arises from an interaction with other factors (physical or mental). Consciousness, in turn, influences one or more mental factors. Thus, consciousness and the mind–body (nama– rupa) are interdependent: there is no arising of consciousness without conditions. This is to say that there is an unbroken series of consciousnesses. I would like to demonstrate that the Buddhist notion of phenomenal consciousness not only goes against the possibility of a scientific explanat...
Indian Philosophical Quarterly, 2014
Most rural areas in developing nations were faced with the problem of a high poverty rate. A bett... more Most rural areas in developing nations were faced with the problem of a high poverty rate. A better understanding of drivers of rural household income is a powerful guide for proper intervention towards poverty alleviation and better wellbeing. This study, therefore, investigates the drivers of rural households' income in Nigeria. Data sourced from the National Bureau of Statistics were analysed using descriptive statistics and multiple regression. The results revealed that the majority of rural households' heads were males who were married with an average household size of 6 persons and a high dependency ratio (0.94). The majority had a low level of education, depends on agricultural activities and earned a monthly income of N42,142.70. Gender of household's head, household size and years of education were the significant factors enhancing rural households' income while dependency ratio was the factor inhibiting rural households' income. Thus, rural education and women empowerment is needed to boost rural income.
Austrian Wittgenstein Society, 2016
Philosophical Papers and Review, Oct 30, 2010
This paper deals with the philosophical problems concerned with research in the field of artifici... more This paper deals with the philosophical problems concerned with research in the field of artificial intelligence (AI), in particular with problems arising out of claims that AI exhibits 'consciousness', 'thinking' and other 'inner' processes and that they simulate human intelligence and cognitive processes in general. The argument is to show how Cartesian mind is non-mechanical. Descartes' concept of 'I think' presupposes subjective experience, because it is 'I' who experiences the world. Likewise, Descartes' notion of 'I' negates the notion of computationality of the mind. The essence of mind is thought and the acts of thoughts are identified with the acts of consciousness. Therefore, it follows that cognitive acts are conscious acts, but not computational acts. Thus, for Descartes, one of the most important aspects of cognitive states and processes is their phenomenality, because our judgments, understanding, etc. can be defined and explained only in relation to consciousness and not in relation to computationality. We can only find computationality in machines and not in the mind, which wills, understands and judges.
The aim of this paper is to investigate the nature of mental phenomena with special reference to ... more The aim of this paper is to investigate the nature of mental phenomena with special reference to Wittgenstein's philosophy of mind. Wittgenstein's main concern is not with the construction of any philosophical theory about these mental phenomena. He is concerned with the dissolution of puzzles that arise because of the linguistic misunderstandings about the nature of mental phenomena. Mental phenomena are generally very complex. The words that try to capture mental phenomena do not have clear grammar. Hence, statements describing mental phenomena mislead us. Therefore, linguistic misconceptions or misunderstandings are the main sources of any philosophical problem on the human mind.
Special Report Series Indian Council of Medical Research, Apr 1, 2005
The problem of consciousness is one of the most important problems in science as well as in philo... more The problem of consciousness is one of the most important problems in science as well as in philosophy. There are different philosophers and different scientists who define it and explain it differently. As far as our knowledge of consciousness is concerned, 'consciousness' does not admit of a definition in terms of genus and differentia or necessary and sufficient condition. In this paper I shall explore the very idea of machine consciousness. The machine consciousness has offered causal explanation to the 'how' and 'what' of consciousness, but they failed to explain the 'why' of consciousness. Their explanation is based on the ground that consciousness is causally dependent on the material universe and that of all, consciousness phenomena can be explained by mapping the physical universe. Again, this mechanical/epistemological theory of consciousness is essentially committed to scientific world view, which cannot avoid metaphysical implication of consciousness. 12
AI & society, Sep 19, 2022
Obnovljeni život
The present paper is concerned with a qualitative, analytical, and comparative method of explorin... more The present paper is concerned with a qualitative, analytical, and comparative method of exploring Buddhist perspectives on phenomenal consciousness. The phenomenal consciousness sciences have offered a mechanical explanation of the ‘how’ and ‘what’ of consciousness, but have failed to explain the ‘why’ of consciousness. The Buddhists have given a systematic explanation of conscious experience in Pancha–skandha, and it is in relation to the material world. In this scheme of things, consciousness is overly conditioned and arises from an interaction with other factors (physical or mental). Consciousness, in turn, influences one or more mental factors. Thus, consciousness and the mind–body (nama– rupa) are interdependent: there is no arising of consciousness without conditions. This is to say that there is an unbroken series of consciousnesses. I would like to demonstrate that the Buddhist notion of phenomenal consciousness not only goes against the possibility of a scientific explanat...
Indian Philosophical Quarterly, 2014
Most rural areas in developing nations were faced with the problem of a high poverty rate. A bett... more Most rural areas in developing nations were faced with the problem of a high poverty rate. A better understanding of drivers of rural household income is a powerful guide for proper intervention towards poverty alleviation and better wellbeing. This study, therefore, investigates the drivers of rural households' income in Nigeria. Data sourced from the National Bureau of Statistics were analysed using descriptive statistics and multiple regression. The results revealed that the majority of rural households' heads were males who were married with an average household size of 6 persons and a high dependency ratio (0.94). The majority had a low level of education, depends on agricultural activities and earned a monthly income of N42,142.70. Gender of household's head, household size and years of education were the significant factors enhancing rural households' income while dependency ratio was the factor inhibiting rural households' income. Thus, rural education and women empowerment is needed to boost rural income.
Austrian Wittgenstein Society, 2016
Philosophical Papers and Review, Oct 30, 2010
This paper deals with the philosophical problems concerned with research in the field of artifici... more This paper deals with the philosophical problems concerned with research in the field of artificial intelligence (AI), in particular with problems arising out of claims that AI exhibits 'consciousness', 'thinking' and other 'inner' processes and that they simulate human intelligence and cognitive processes in general. The argument is to show how Cartesian mind is non-mechanical. Descartes' concept of 'I think' presupposes subjective experience, because it is 'I' who experiences the world. Likewise, Descartes' notion of 'I' negates the notion of computationality of the mind. The essence of mind is thought and the acts of thoughts are identified with the acts of consciousness. Therefore, it follows that cognitive acts are conscious acts, but not computational acts. Thus, for Descartes, one of the most important aspects of cognitive states and processes is their phenomenality, because our judgments, understanding, etc. can be defined and explained only in relation to consciousness and not in relation to computationality. We can only find computationality in machines and not in the mind, which wills, understands and judges.
The aim of this paper is to investigate the nature of mental phenomena with special reference to ... more The aim of this paper is to investigate the nature of mental phenomena with special reference to Wittgenstein's philosophy of mind. Wittgenstein's main concern is not with the construction of any philosophical theory about these mental phenomena. He is concerned with the dissolution of puzzles that arise because of the linguistic misunderstandings about the nature of mental phenomena. Mental phenomena are generally very complex. The words that try to capture mental phenomena do not have clear grammar. Hence, statements describing mental phenomena mislead us. Therefore, linguistic misconceptions or misunderstandings are the main sources of any philosophical problem on the human mind.
Special Report Series Indian Council of Medical Research, Apr 1, 2005
The problem of consciousness is one of the most important problems in science as well as in philo... more The problem of consciousness is one of the most important problems in science as well as in philosophy. There are different philosophers and different scientists who define it and explain it differently. As far as our knowledge of consciousness is concerned, 'consciousness' does not admit of a definition in terms of genus and differentia or necessary and sufficient condition. In this paper I shall explore the very idea of machine consciousness. The machine consciousness has offered causal explanation to the 'how' and 'what' of consciousness, but they failed to explain the 'why' of consciousness. Their explanation is based on the ground that consciousness is causally dependent on the material universe and that of all, consciousness phenomena can be explained by mapping the physical universe. Again, this mechanical/epistemological theory of consciousness is essentially committed to scientific world view, which cannot avoid metaphysical implication of consciousness. 12
Vilnius University Press, 2021
This paper discusses the philosophical issues pertaining to Kantian moral agency and artificial i... more This paper discusses the philosophical issues pertaining to Kantian moral agency and artificial intelligence (AI). Here, our objective is to offer a comprehensive analysis of Kantian ethics to elucidate the non-feasibility of Kantian machines. Meanwhile, the possibility of Kantian machines seems to contend with the genuine human Kantian agency. We argue that in machine morality, 'duty' should be performed with 'freedom of will' and 'happiness' because Kant narrated the human tendency of evaluating our 'natural necessity' through 'happiness' as the end. Lastly, we argue that the Kantian 'freedom of will' and 'faculty of choice' do not belong to any deterministic model of 'agency' as these are sacrosanct systems. The conclusion narrates the non-feasibility of Kantian AI agents from the genuine Kantian ethical outset, offering a utility-based Kantian ethical performer instead.