Mind Matters Natural and Artificial Intelligence News and Analysis

CategoryPhilosophy of Mind

core-of-the-machine-3d-illustration-of-complex-futuristic-sc-259694908-stockpack-adobestock
Core of the machine / 3D illustration of complex futuristic science fiction brain nucleus machinery background

Can an AI Really Develop a Mind of Its Own?

Specifically, can an AI develop a mind with its own goals and desires, capable of plans and strategies — as the authors of If Anyone Builds It believe?
Even if we adopt a materialist view of the mind, I believe I can show why it is not possible for a machine to develop a mind. Read More ›
portrait-of-smiling-multinational-people-different-religions-689048941-stockpack-adobestock
Portrait of smiling multinational people different religions stand together. National Religious Freedom Day. January 16. Holiday concept. Template for background, banner, card, poster and wallpaper

At Psych Mag: How Your Brain Allegedly Invented God…

Not THIS again, you say? Yes, this again. Straight out of the 1970s, as if the last fifty years of research never happened
One effect of the presumption of atheism in science is that all kinds of speculation can be grandfathered as reasonable scientific thinking. Read More ›
uganda-sunrise-with-trees-hills-shadows-and-morning-fog-stoc-238122952-stockpack-adobestock
Uganda sunrise with trees, hills, shadows and morning fog

Podcast: Evidence For the Existence of the Human Soul

Michael Egnor and Denyse O'Leary argue that there is abundant scientific data demonstrating the immaterial existence of the human person and that this reality continues after we die
The human soul has been understood as quite real but immaterial and non-local. It is instantiated in a body, which is material and local. Read More ›
emerald-globe-thriving-tree-at-earths-core-symbolizing-inter-811191172-stockpack-adobestock
Emerald Globe Thriving Tree at Earths Core Symbolizing Interconnected Nature and Humanity in an

Why Materialism Will Probably Drift Into Panpsychism

I predict that “Nothing is conscious” will be superseded, among fashionable thinkers, by “Everything is conscious.”
Materialists will try to interpret the workings of the brain as one aspect of consciousness that is a natural part of the material universe. Read More ›
business-man-making-a-phone-call-with-smartphone-stockpack-a-171261394-stockpack-adobestock
Business man making a phone call with smartphone.

“Here’s My Number. Call Me When You Have Evidence.”

On Standing for Truth, neurosurgeon Michael Egnor describes the approach he takes to those who defend materialist theories about human beings
Donny Budinsky and co-host Sam prompted a general discussion of experience versus reality when it comes to the human mind. Read More ›
the-concept-of-mind-uploading-or-transferring-consciousness-891939972-stockpack-adobestock
the concept of mind uploading or transferring consciousness to a digital format.

The Problem of Smith: When Mind Uploading Multiplies Identity

Tyler Bauer: If personal identity is grounded in an immaterial soul, the real Smith is the body that contains his original soul. Read More ›
light at the end of the tunnel

One Reason Why Near-Death Experiences Are Difficult to Study

Philosopher Bernardo Kastrup talks at Closer to Truth about the problem of trying to communicate experiences for which there are no words
Much that the NDE experiencer learns cannot easily be expressed, because there are no words for experiences that most people have only after they die. Read More ›
infant-chimpanzee-in-gombe-national-park-tanzania-stockpack-68913557-stockpack-adobestock
Infant chimpanzee in Gombe National Park, Tanzania

Was the Legendary Jane Goodall (1934–2025) the End of an Era?

Perhaps. A more realistic appraisal of the reality of human uniqueness is needed if we hope to prevent the extinction of chimpanzees in the wild
While Goodall believed that there is no sharp line dividing humans and chimpanzees, she herself was one of many who embodied the sharp line. Read More ›
conceptual-art-of-think-brain-mind-mental-health-spiritual-soul-and-psychology-concept-idea-art-surreal-drawing-illustration-isolated-on-a-white-background-stockpack-adobe-stock
Conceptual art of think, brain mind, mental health, spiritual, soul and psychology. concept idea art. surreal drawing illustration. isolated on a white background.

COSM 2025 Panel to Tackle the Hard Problem: Consciousness

Michael Egnor sees the failure to find a “material center of consciousness” in the brain as a science success, not failure. It points to an important truth about us
As prominent neuroscientist Christof Koch’s recent difficulties with Cancel Culture show, the cracks in materialist neuroscience are getting harder to paper over. Read More ›
empty-classic-red-chinese-room-stockpack-adobe-stock-753536499-stockpack-adobestock
empty classic red chinese room

Philosopher of Mind and Language John Searle Has Died

His Chinese Room thought experiment, an argument for why computers can seem clever without having minds, was widely understood among the lay public
The Chinese Room thought experiment helped us see the nature of computation, as opposed to human thinking. Read More ›
fogbow-over-misty-green-hills-at-sunrise-rainbow-dawn-stockp-1617621356-stockpack-adobestock
Fogbow over misty green hills at sunrise rainbow dawn

Why the Soul Doesn’t — and Can’t — Weigh Anything

The question has nothing to do with whether or not the soul exists
Dr. Duncan MacDougall’s attempts to weigh the soul were ingenious as well as controversial but he misunderstood the soul’s nature. Read More ›
a-humanoid-robot-philosopher-contemplating-the-nature-of-con-1228267447-stockpack-adobestock
A humanoid robot philosopher contemplating the nature of consciousness in a virtual reality chamber, abstract digital environment with neural networks and philosophical texts, Innovative style

Brain Surgeon Shows Why AI Can Never Become Human

Spoiler alert: AI requires physical hardware; the mind does not
AI can never be more than a machine; the human mind soars far above any machine model. Be nice to your robot. But don’t think she is human. Read More ›
cognitive-researcher-conducting-perception-experiment-with-v-1664019810-stockpack-adobestock
Cognitive Researcher Conducting Perception Experiment with Visual Stimuli Under Natural Light, Selective Focus and Flat Lay Setup

Materialism in Science: Touching Another Hot Button

With a discussion of the findings of rigorous research into telepathy, the challenge to the presumption of materialism in science is beginning to be sounded loud and clear
What's changed? The cost of protecting materialism in science has risen gradually, consistent with the rising number of situations on which it sheds little light. Read More ›
dynamic-energy-fields-illustration-depicting-electromagnetic-1425086109-stockpack-adobestock
Dynamic energy fields illustration depicting electromagnetic waves, representing theoretical physics concepts like Maxwell's equations with intricate detail and vibrant colors

What If Science Tried Doing Without Materialism?

In a thoughtful review of The Immortal Mind, John Zmirak points to the way it currently underlies most popular presentations of science
Without materialism. math still adds up, physics and chemistry are still true, and logic still works. Only forgettable projects would be forgotten. Read More ›
humanity-upload-concept-of-digital-consciousness-and-technol-1618978255-stockpack-adobestock
Humanity Upload – Concept of Digital Consciousness and Technological Evolution

Consciousness Can’t Be Uploaded as AI? — Of Course It Can’t!

Converting ideas and memories into bits in a computer program does not recreate in the computer the person whose minds and memories they are — only a simulation
The uploaded quirks and memories may be a good simulation of the deceased person but it is not a surviving self. It is just data. Read More ›
black-and-white-shot-of-an-asphalt-road-with-a-selective-foc-430682810-stockpack-adobestock
Black and white shot of an asphalt road with a selective focus on a white contrast arrow on it as a road marking leading to a concrete wall and a turn to the left, sunny day, shallow depth of field

Michael Egnor at The Stream: How Materialists Refute Themselves

In Part 3, he also talks about how fellow health care personnel and patients have responded to The Immortal Mind, which makes a case for the immortal soul
People I work with in the operating room and clinics and even patients tell me that they read our book and really liked it. They are glad we are speaking up. Read More ›
brain-mind-way-soul-and-hope-concept-art-illustration-surrea-425584966-stockpack-adobe_stock
Brain mind way soul and hope concept art, illustration, surreal mystery artwork, imagination painting, conceptual idea of success

Michael Egnor at The Stream: How the Mind Transcends the Brain

In his interview with John Zmirak, Dr. Egnor points out that epileptic seizures do not involve abstract thought because that type of thought is not simply a product of the brain
He noted that pioneer neurosurgeon Wilder Penfield started out as a materialist but became a dualist as a result of discovering things like these. Read More ›
three-piglets-little-pink-pigs-with-raised-ears-looking-at-s-277789395-stockpack-adobestock
Three piglets little pink pigs with raised ears looking at same direction and standing on hay in a farm

Why the Mind Matters: No Free Will = No Guilt — Thus No Innocence

Michael Egnor spells out the true consequences of materialism: We come to be seen as animals to be managed by government
Materialism, Egnor says, is rarely defended explicitly; rather, objections are brushed off and prominent objectors may be Canceled. Read More ›
a-robot-doing-yoga-contemplating-its-existence-ai-and-techno-1181750288-stockpack-adobestock
A robot doing yoga, contemplating its existence, ai and technology concept

AI Consciousness Myths: Neuroscientist Offers a No-Hype Approach

Àlex Gómez-Marín’s physics background shows in the way that he dissects the hyped-up claims before responding to them
At present, it doesn’t sound as though consciousness studies can take us beyond our natural folk understanding of consciousness. Read More ›
group-of-happy-diverse-senior-people-standing-together-stock-630088052-stockpack-adobestock
Group of happy diverse senior people standing together.

Researchers: Sense of Purpose in Later Life Lowers Dementia Risk

They believe that it helps the brain stay resilient. Fortunately, a wide range of activities have been found in various studies to provide that sense
While the observed effect was small, any actual effect is a tool in the box and this one does not come with the risks associated with medications. Read More ›