Ghost in the machine
From The Art and Popular Culture Encyclopedia
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| Much of the following material is from [[Arthur Koestler]]'s discussion in his 1967 book ''[[The Ghost in the Machine]]'', which takes Ryle's phrase as its title. The book's main focus is mankind's movement towards self-destruction, particularly in the [[nuclear arms]] arena. It is particularly critical of [[B. F. Skinner]]'s [[behaviorism|behaviourist theory]]. One of the book's central concepts is that as the human brain has grown, it has built upon earlier, more primitive brain structures, and that these are the "ghost in the machine" of the title. Koestler's theory is that at times these structures can overpower higher [[logic]]al functions, and are responsible for [[hate]], [[anger]] and other such destructive impulses. | Much of the following material is from [[Arthur Koestler]]'s discussion in his 1967 book ''[[The Ghost in the Machine]]'', which takes Ryle's phrase as its title. The book's main focus is mankind's movement towards self-destruction, particularly in the [[nuclear arms]] arena. It is particularly critical of [[B. F. Skinner]]'s [[behaviorism|behaviourist theory]]. One of the book's central concepts is that as the human brain has grown, it has built upon earlier, more primitive brain structures, and that these are the "ghost in the machine" of the title. Koestler's theory is that at times these structures can overpower higher [[logic]]al functions, and are responsible for [[hate]], [[anger]] and other such destructive impulses. | ||
| + | ==Popular culture== | ||
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| + | [[The Police]] named their 1981 album ''[[Ghost in the Machine (The Police album)|Ghost in the Machine]]'' after this concept. [[Masamune Shirow]] borrowed the "ghost" concept that figures prominently in his 1989 ''[[Ghost in the Shell]]'' [[manga]] and later related works. "The Ghost in the Machine" is also mentioned in the 1985 film ''[[Brazil (1985 film)|Brazil]]'' and referenced in the 2004 film ''[[I, Robot (film)|I, Robot]]'' based on Isaac Asimov's short stories. Also the rapper [[B.o.B]] titled a song "Ghost in the Machine" on his debut album, ''[[B.o.B Presents: The Adventures of Bobby Ray|The Adventures of Bobby Ray]]''. [[Arthur C. Clarke]]'s novel ''[[2010:odyssey two]]'' contains a chapter named "Ghost in the Machine", referring to the virtual consciousness inside a computer. | ||
| + | There is also an episode of both [[Futurama]] and [[Superman: The Animated Series]] entitled Ghost in the Machines. | ||
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| + | Additionally the [[X-Files]]-series also named [[Ghost in the Machine (The X-Files)|an episode]] involving a rogue [[AI]] computer system "Ghost in the Machine." | ||
Revision as of 06:12, 26 June 2013
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The "ghost in the machine" is the British philosopher Gilbert Ryle's description of René Descartes' mind-body dualism. The phrase was introduced in Ryle's book The Concept of Mind (1949) to highlight the perceived absurdity of dualist systems like Descartes' where mental activity carries on in parallel to physical action, but where their means of interaction are unknown or, at best, speculative.
Much of the following material is from Arthur Koestler's discussion in his 1967 book The Ghost in the Machine, which takes Ryle's phrase as its title. The book's main focus is mankind's movement towards self-destruction, particularly in the nuclear arms arena. It is particularly critical of B. F. Skinner's behaviourist theory. One of the book's central concepts is that as the human brain has grown, it has built upon earlier, more primitive brain structures, and that these are the "ghost in the machine" of the title. Koestler's theory is that at times these structures can overpower higher logical functions, and are responsible for hate, anger and other such destructive impulses.
Popular culture
The Police named their 1981 album Ghost in the Machine after this concept. Masamune Shirow borrowed the "ghost" concept that figures prominently in his 1989 Ghost in the Shell manga and later related works. "The Ghost in the Machine" is also mentioned in the 1985 film Brazil and referenced in the 2004 film I, Robot based on Isaac Asimov's short stories. Also the rapper B.o.B titled a song "Ghost in the Machine" on his debut album, The Adventures of Bobby Ray. Arthur C. Clarke's novel 2010:odyssey two contains a chapter named "Ghost in the Machine", referring to the virtual consciousness inside a computer. There is also an episode of both Futurama and Superman: The Animated Series entitled Ghost in the Machines.
Additionally the X-Files-series also named an episode involving a rogue AI computer system "Ghost in the Machine."
See also
