Can a computer be alive?

Question: Can a computer be alive!?
Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:

(IMO)
Depends on what you define as life!. If you regard it as any suitably complex, self-controlled and active entity then a sufficiently advanced computer should fit the description!. There are no real rules saying what life has to be made of, so a computer being inorganic isnt really that big a factor, especially when you consider all the research into bio-computers and circuitry at the moment!. In the future it seems a distinct possibility!. Humans are frail, machines are not!. Therefore, because we are inordinately curious, we will use machines to go to places we cannot, and no doubt we will advance them enormously to this end and endeavour to make them more independent and able to problem solve on their own!. Even now we have robots with the equivalent IQ and problem solving capabilities of insects, and no-one would deny that they are alive!.!.!.its just a matter of time!.

also, if you want to start talking souls, then consider that over the years animals, slaves, the disabled and the mentally challenged have also been relegated to the "no soul" category until science, ethics and general common sense caught up!. And on another note, something doesnt need a soul to be alive!. Unless you wish to start telling lichen, amoeba and trees to stop sinning so they can go to heaven!.!.!.!.!.

Old Guy: I couldnt begin to tell you what it feels like to be human!. Not least of all because I have no basis for comparison!. A hamster couldnt tell you what it feels like to be a hamster!. No ant has ever offered its thoughts on what it is to be an ant!. Life does not necessarily include self awareness or introspection!. That is the distinction between the question: Is it alive!? and Is it sentient!?Www@QuestionHome@Com

no, it does not have a soul, no matter how advanced the technology is, its never going to be alive it will still be able to be controlled by humans one way or anotherWww@QuestionHome@Com

not currently!. maybe in the future when it can create actions autonomously (without pre-programmed software or hardware directions)!. but i think our government will push laws to limit such advances if it ever came to it!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Sometime in the future, you will not be able to tell the difference, until your girlfrend drops a chip in her latte!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

no,it can't,because every part of is set by humans!.it can't run without the helping of humansWww@QuestionHome@Com

No, it is manmade!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

I'm sorry, Dave, I'm afraid you can't ask that!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

No!.!. it is a creation of man !.!. and cannot reproduce itself without man's help!. You will find no soul on the internet!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

When it tells us what it feels like to be a computer the answer will be yes!. Untill then!.!.!.!.!.noWww@QuestionHome@Com