Heuristics: Intelligent Search Strategies for Com- Puter Problem

his competence. The author points out that “the ascription schema constrains mental ascriptions once a system is specified; but it puts no limit on which systems should have mental states ascribed to them.” He postulates a “Supertrap” which strikes matches in the presence of gassoaked mice, topples dictionaries on mice, and, of course, snaps shut whenever mice nibble its bait “These habits betray a common malevolent thread, which is generalizable by (and only by) ascribing a persistent goal: dead mice.” When we see other Supertrap behaviors, such as failure to harm cats that reek of gasoline, we become involved in a “semantic intrigue,” an effort to understand how mental ascriptions cohere and interact. Whimsical examples aside, ascription is important for AI because it provides one more way to detect patterns that might otherwise go unnoticed. The ascription schema is proposed during the author’s discussion of people’s pragmatic sense. The final chapter also examines other fundamental differences between people and programs: our use of mental images, feelings, and ego involvement. Even if this chapter were not as thought-provoking and enjoyable as it is, it would be worth reading simply to remind oneself how extremely difficult problems in AI can (should?) be.