Nominator's statement

Full text is at: http://cogprints.soton.ac.uk/abs/comp/199807017

comments

• This paper is often said to mark the beginning of the cognitivist revolution in psychology by arguing that computing machines that think are possible, thus defending the appropriateness of computational models of intelligence and, by extension, other cognitive processes. The paper also recommends the controversial Turing test, according to which a computing machine that can simulate a thinking, speaking human so well that a human judge cannot detect the simulation should be deemed to possess genuine intelligence.

• I am not sure whether this paper, with the Turing test, is really the right one, or whether "On Computable Numbers ..." should be the Turing paper that is highly ranked. Either way, one of those two papers should be in the top ten, not just top 100.

• This work set forth critical questions that spurred people to strive to explore and define artificial intelligence.

• It is completely clear that cognitive science derives entirely from Turing. The 1936(?) paper on computability is the ultimate foundation of the entire "computational metaphor" that sets cognitive science apart from the more general "cognitive psychology". And the 1950 paper on intelligence has been the driving force behind both "the grand tradition" of AI and behind much of the discussion in cog sci generally. It is hard to imagine anything that is more seminal to the field than these two papers. Not only should they be in the "top 100", not only should "one or another of them be in the top ten", but they both should be in the top three.

• Absolutely this paper belongs on the list. It is the source of the Turing Test, which may be the all-time most discussed aspect of Artificial Intelligence. "Computable numbers" is important as well, but does not "trump" this one. Perhaps both belong on the list.

• I second this nomination, although Turing's other paper "On computable number,.." from 1936 is in my opinion even more important.

• Its importance and prescience only now beginning to be discovered.

• This is not only for the top 100, but for the top 10! No anthology is complete without this work!

• This paper unarguably belongs on this list. I would argue that it should be in the Top 10.

• Both computable numbers and computing machinery and intelligence are top 10 papers. Alan Turing's contribution to cognitive science, artificial intelligence and theory of computing cannot be overpraised.