Computers and Intuition

Abstract

In this article want to focus on the Ph.D. students who inspired Eric Postma and myself to pay attention to the topic of computers and intuition. During our time at Maastricht University five Ph.D. students (Rens Kortman, Michel van Dartel, Joyca Lacroix, Niek Bergboer, and Fred Hamburg) paved the way to formulate a basis for fertile ideas on intuition in relation to programs. In the period from January 1, 2008 to January 1, 2016 four Ph.D. students (Guido de Croon, Laurens van der Maaten, Igor Bereznoy, and Ruud Mattheij) positioned us by their research results on the right track. conclusion is provisional, but undeniable in my opinion: mental intuition is programmable. 1 Run-up In 1978 was able to turn my hobby into my profession. embarked upon an ambitious Ph.D. project which would take nearly five years. It was entitled Computer Chess, the World of Chess, and Artificial Intelligence. had many mentors, three of them would eventually become my supervisors, namely Professor H.J.M. Lombaers, Professor A.D. de Groot and Professor S.J. Doorman. Lombaers knew at that time, everything about computers, De Groot about the thinking of a chess player, and Doorman about analytic philosophy. first meeting on the research project with De Groot had traits of the puppy and the old master (by the way, we were chess friends and opponents in several rapid chess tournaments). “Professor, am considering implementing your theories about the thinking of the chess player (De Groot, 1946) in a computer program and much more. Over time, this research will lead to a program that will play stronger than the human world champion.” answer was very provocative for me: I am glad you intend to study the work by Euwe and myself (Euwe, 1963) and will be pleased to supervise you. Incidentally, your prediction is flawed. The reasoning is as follows: [Assumption] (1) Intuition is a vital part of chess, [Assumption] (2) Grandmasters play so well because they have intuition at their disposal, and [Proposition] (3) Intuition cannot be programmed, hence [Conclusion] (4) Computers will never play at grandmaster level. There was sitting, opposite my future supervisor, a scholar of international renown. Excuse me, Professor, that take the liberty to contradict you. Indeed, do not know exactly how it will take place, but believe that new technologies will find a solution to the problem you posed.