These are responses to Guide questions on Searle's Minds, Brains and Science.
1. Is there a relationship between action and moral behavior?
Yes. Actions have a mental component- we need to realize the action in our minds before we can perform it. Often this happens in split-seconds, and we may not be aware of our thought processes at the time, but they do often occur. (This brings up the question of involuntary reactions, but most of our actions are voluntary, and we can limit ourselves to this type.) We must therefore have a reason for doing what we do. No action is completely nonsensical (een seemingly random and nonsensical actions are conceived of as such in the mind before they are carried out). Overall moral behavior acts in much the same way. As Searl puts it, the content of the causation is the same as the content of the explination- just like with actions. The cause for the event is the same as the explination.
2. What is the purpose of the eight principles offered by Searl?
To build up an argument leading up to a final picture which explains his ideas on human action and behavior, intentionality and the mind.
3. State your idea of what the social sciences are. What does Searl observe about the social sciences?
The social sciences are the study of human behavior. They can include psychology, study of the human mind, sociology, study of social groups of people, and history, the study of past events (mostly oertaining to human history). They try to do with human thoughts and actions what the natural sciences did with the natural world.Searl mentions that this is not quite possible.
4. Do Searl's observations about the social sciences challenge conventional ideas about their role in society?
Yes. The generalizations present in the social sciences are not valid enough to give them any weight. People are not predictable like the laws of nature are. This would deny free will in a way, and open the door for artificial intelligence to follow these rules and become human. But Searl argues that this cannot occur.
5. What is "common sense" the Searle uses the term?
Common sense is how we should approach things covered by the social sciences. We cannot codify human nature, but we can get a feel for it. This feel is what we should act on.
6. Try to tease out the relationship between and among the ideas of: artificial intelligence; action; free will; moral action
Artificial intelligence can have action, but no free will or moral action. It can perform things based on commands and inputs, but does not have what is inherent in human beings in order to have free will. It probably cannot act morally, becuase it has no need for morals like humans do.