Lycan vs. Searle: Compare and Contrast

The only real similarity between the views of Lycan and Searle are that they are both materialists. By this they both believe that only physical properties exist and are relevant. However, on the subject of computing machines and artificial intelligence there is little else that the two agree on. Because Lycan is a materialist, his metaphysical views on the possibility of artificial intelligence are quite simple. The mind, being nothing more that a physical entity, …

…being should have the moral rights of a real person. Lycan would call Searle a human chauvinist because of Searle’s denial of these assumptions. However, what Lycan is really trying to prove is that this hypothetical being that can have intrinsic Intentionality is a pure impossibility and is therefore not worth considering further. It seems to be a clash of imagination versus assumed scientific law that will probably never be resolved but endlessly discussed.