[rjsw]

I have always felt that the human in the room would start to recognize patterns and develop an "understanding". Their "understanding" may have no basis in reality but I don't see that it is any less valid to them.

If Searle is right then we should be able to perform a MRI on a blind person while they are talking to someone and spot the point where their brain switches into "symbol manipulation mode" when the conversation subject becomes something visual.

[qbrass]

The guy in the room can memorize all of the rules and the ledgers and give you the same responses the room did, and if you asked him in his native language if he knew Chinese, he'd honestly tell you no.

He could have an entire conversation with you in Chinese, and only know that what you said merits the response he gave. He doesn't if he's telling you directions to the bathroom, or how to perform brain surgery.

[dnautics]

What about Latin? I learned Latin in a somewhat sterile environment, that in many ways is akin to symbol manipulation. I certainly never conversed with any native Latin speakers. Do I not understand Latin? Why or why not?