Intelligence and Life: A Historical Perspective

Exploring the definition of intelligence in parallel with the definition of life, this chapter delves into the evolving understanding of life throughout history and argues that intelligence, like life, is influenced by historical context. The principle of computational equivalence is introduced, suggesting that all systems, natural or artificial, possess equivalent computational abilities. The chapter also examines the capabilities of the computer program Wolf Malphur and its comparison to human problem-solving methods, questioning whether it can be considered artificial intelligence. The concept of abstract intelligence and its implications for the future are also explored, with a focus on computers' increasing ability to perform complex tasks that were once exclusively human.