The Non-Physical Nature of Being: More with Dr. Selmer Bringsjord
On this episode, host Pat Flynn continues his conversation with Dr. Selmer Bringsjord about his chapter in the recent volume Minding the Brain, titled “Mathematical Objects Are Non-Physical, so We Are Too.” The discussion focuses on the first part of the argument, which asserts that mathematical objects are non-physical. Bringsjord explains that formal thinking, such as understanding algorithms, cannot be fully determined by physical processes. He uses the example of the sorting algorithm QuickSort to illustrate how different physical embodiments of the algorithm do not capture its true nature. Bringsjord argues that there must be a non-physical relationship between the user and the concept of the algorithm in order to truly understand it. Flynn emphasizes the significance of this argument, even if one still wants to claim that humans are entirely physical beings. The episode concludes by recommending further resources for those interested in exploring this intriguing argument in more depth.
