Yes, yes. It is all a continuum. That doesn’t change the fact that I don’t use the intentional stance on businesses. I view them as either a) designed inflexible systems for providing me services in exchange for money or b) systems modified by human actors for their own interests.
I’ll very rarely say “google is trying to do X” or that “microsoft knows Y”. I do do these things for humans and animals, in that respect I see a firm dividing line between them in the type of system I treat them as.
I think the human brain has a whole bunch of circuitry designed to understand other agents—as modified versions of yourself.
That circuitry can also be pushed into use for understanding the behaviour of organisations, companies and governments—since those systems have enough “agency” to make the analogy more fruitful than confusing.
My take on the issue is that this typically results in more insight for less effort.
Critics might say this is anthropomorphism—but IMO, it pays.
Yes, yes. It is all a continuum. That doesn’t change the fact that I don’t use the intentional stance on businesses. I view them as either a) designed inflexible systems for providing me services in exchange for money or b) systems modified by human actors for their own interests.
I’ll very rarely say “google is trying to do X” or that “microsoft knows Y”. I do do these things for humans and animals, in that respect I see a firm dividing line between them in the type of system I treat them as.
I think the human brain has a whole bunch of circuitry designed to understand other agents—as modified versions of yourself.
That circuitry can also be pushed into use for understanding the behaviour of organisations, companies and governments—since those systems have enough “agency” to make the analogy more fruitful than confusing.
My take on the issue is that this typically results in more insight for less effort.
Critics might say this is anthropomorphism—but IMO, it pays.