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Subject: Re: Computers as opponents versus computers as analysis partners

Author: Rolf Tueschen

Date: 17:00:55 06/03/02

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On June 03, 2002 at 19:40:27, Robert Henry Durrett wrote:

>On June 03, 2002 at 18:23:58, Roy Eassa wrote:
>
>>
>>When I use a computer chess program to help me analyze and get at the truth
>>about a position, I want the program to have every possible advantage, including
>>a huge opening book, EGTBs, a large database of games, whatever will help it
>>analyze better.
>>
>>But when a computer plays a match against a human, should the expectations be
>>different?  Should then additional matters of "fair play" come into
>>consideration?
>>
>>Clearly this is a very divisive issue.
>>
>>The purpose of this post was simply to point out that one MIGHT draw a
>>distinction between what's fair/good to have when you're using the computer as a
>>TOOL and what's fair/good to have when the computer is playing against somebody
>>in a GAME.
>>
>>(A corollary question: We all know humans can cheat -- for example by consulting
>>an opening book during a game.  Is there anything a computer could do that
>>should be considered cheating?)
>
>Well, if it's not OK for humans to get help from computers during human
>tournaments, then the same standards should apply for computer tournaments.
>
>In other words, requesting and then receiving help from humans DURING play of
>the game would be "cheating."
>
>But it makes no sense to punish innocent computers, since they do not know right
>from wrong.  It would be like spanking a baby for peeing in his/her diaper.
>Morality issues do not apply to computers.  Human morals and rules are for
>humans.  Computers are exempt because a computer cannot knowingly cheat.
>
>Not, that is, unless you consider computers to be sentient beings acting
>independently and voluntarily.  If they were, then it would be possible for them
>to cheat.  Maybe some day that time will come!
>
>Bob D.

Let us hold up moral for the team of human beings at least. That should be the
debate of course. :)

Rolf Tueschen



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