Mind Matters Natural and Artificial Intelligence News and Analysis

TagStephen Hawking

science-and-research-of-the-universe-spiral-galaxy-and-physical-formulas-concept-of-knowledge-and-education-stockpack-adobe-stock
Science and research of the universe, spiral galaxy and physical formulas, concept of knowledge and education
Type
post
Author
News
Date
September 27, 2021
Categorized
Science
Tagged
, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Why Did Stephen Hawking Give Up on a Theory of Everything?

Daniel Díaz and Ola Hössjer continue their discussion of the fine tuning of the universal constants of nature with Robert J. Marks
News
September 27, 2021
Science

In a continuing conversation with Swedish mathematician Ola Hössjer and Colombian biostatistician Daniel Díaz on the fine-tuning of the universe — and Earth — for life, Walter Bradley Center director Robert J. Marks asks them about why a Theory of Everything eludes us and about the life-permitting interval — the narrow window for life that the constants of the universe permit. This is the second part of Episode 3, “The universe is so fine-tuned!” (September 16, 2021). Earlier portions, with transcripts and notes, are listed below. https://episodes.castos.com/mindmatters/Mind-Matters-Episode-152-Hossjer-Diaz.mp3 This portion begins at 12:36 min. A partial transcript, Show Notes, and Additional Resources follow. Robert J. Marks: In truth, there’s a lot of fundamental constants — the electric charge of an electron,…

quantum-particle-quantum-mechanics-stockpack-adobe-stock.jpg
Quantum particle, quantum mechanics
Type
post
Author
News
Date
May 23, 2021
Categorized
Philosophy of Mind, Science
Tagged
, , , , , , , , , , ,

Can a Materialist Consciousness Theory Survive Quantum Mechanics?

Quantum mechanics requires that the observer be part of the measurement; thus quantum measurements must include consciousness
News
May 23, 2021
Philosophy of Mind, Science

In Walter Bradley Center director Robert J. Marks’s second podcast with philosopher Angus Menuge, where the big topic is the perennial “Hard Problem of consciousness, one of the questions was whether quantum mechanics can help decipher consciousness. But that leads to another question: Can any materialist view of consciousness survive quantum mechanics? https://episodes.castos.com/mindmatters/Mind-Matters-134-Angus-Menuge.mp3 This portion begins at 22:35 min. A partial transcript, Show Notes, and Additional Resources follow. Robert J. Marks: Is quantum consciousness rooted in materialism? Can you look at quantum consciousness and say, this is materialistic? Angus Menuge: That’s a tricky question. For most materialists, their paradigm is really set by older 19th-century views of physical science. By definition, this goes beyond that. However, if one defines materialism…

looking-through-glasses-to-bleach-nature-landscape-tulips-field-color-blindness-world-perception-during-depression-medical-condition-health-and-disease-concept-stockpack-adobe-stock.jpg
Looking through glasses to bleach nature landscape - tulips field. Color blindness. World perception during depression. Medical condition. Health and disease concept.
Type
podcast
Author
Robert J. Marks
Date
May 13, 2021
Tagged
, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Dr. Angus Menuge: Models of Consciousness (Part II)

Robert J. Marks
May 13, 2021

What is it like to see a red rose? To smell a red rose? To feel pain? In this week’s podcast, Dr. Robert J. Marks and Dr. Angus Menuge continue their discussion on philosophies of the mind, delving into competing definitions of consciousness. Show Notes 00:26 | Introducing Dr. Angus Menuge 01:01 | Phenomenal consciousness and qualia 07:25 | Experiencing…

world-philosophy-day-education-concept-tree-of-knowledge-planting-on-opening-old-big-book-in-library-with-textbook-in-natural-background-stockpack-adobe-stock.jpg
World philosophy day education concept: tree of knowledge planting on opening old big book in library with textbook in natural background
Type
post
Author
News
Date
May 9, 2021
Categorized
Philosophy, Science
Tagged
, , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Why Do Some Famous Materialist Scientists Hate Philosophy?

Philosopher of biology Massimo Pigliucci takes Richard Dawkins to task for dismissing philosophy but he might have said the same of Stephen Hawking
News
May 9, 2021
Philosophy, Science

Massimo Pigliucci (pictured) makes clear that he is a naturalist (materialist) like zoologist Richard Dawkins. For example, he tells us that they crossed paths at a conference whose purpose was to promote naturalism (materialism): Over four centuries of scientific progress have convinced most professional philosophers and scientists of the validity of naturalism: the view that there is only one realm of existence, the natural world, whose behavior can be studied through reason and empirical investigation. The basic operating principles of the natural world appear to be impersonal and inviolable; microscopic constituents of inanimate matter obeying the laws of physics fit together in complex structures to form intelligent, emotive, conscious human beings. Sean Carroll, “Moving Naturalism Forward (announcement)” at Preposterous Universe…

bubbles-stockpack-adobe-stock.jpg
Bubbles
Type
post
Author
Robert J. Marks
Date
April 18, 2021
Categorized
Philosophy, Science
Tagged
, , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

How Materialism Proves Unbounded Scientific Ignorance

There is an infinite number of things that are true that we cannot prove scientifically and never will
Robert J. Marks
April 18, 2021
Philosophy, Science

Science is based on a glut of laws from physics, chemistry, mathematics, and other areas. The assumption of scientific materialism, as I understand it, is that science has explained or will explain everything. The final conclusion of scientific materialism, also known as scientism, is nicely captured in a question chemist Peter Atkins asked philosopher William Lane Craig in a debate: “Do you deny that science can account for everything?” Scientism’s assumption that science can establish everything is self-refuting. Careful analysis shows that there is an infinite number of things that are true that we cannot prove scientifically and never will. Stephen Hawking saw the tip of the iceberg of this truth when he said, “Up to now, most people have…

omega-the-letter-of-a-greek-alphabet-greek-numerals-mathematical-eight-hundred-number-concept-abstract-digital-wireframe-low-poly-mesh-raster-blue-neon-3d-illustration-triangle-line-dot-stockpack-adobe-stock.jpg
Omega, the letter of a Greek alphabet. Greek numerals, mathematical eight hundred number concept. Abstract, digital, wireframe, low poly mesh, Raster blue neon 3d illustration. Triangle, line dot
Type
podcast
Author
Robert J. Marks
Date
March 25, 2021
Tagged
, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

The Chaitin Interview IV: Knowability and Unknowability

Robert J. Marks
March 25, 2021

What does it mean for something to be unknowable? Is creativity non-computable? Do all things have a level of consciousness? Jump into today’s podcast, where Robert J. Marks continues his discussion with Gregory Chaitin about mathematical theory and philosophy. Show Notes 00:23 | Introducing Gregory Chaitin 00:40 | What is unknowability? 06:07 | Does non-computable mean unknowable? 09:43 | A…

virtual-keyboard-stockpack-adobe-stock.jpg
virtual keyboard
Type
post
Author
News
Date
September 23, 2020
Categorized
Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Natural Intelligence, Science
Tagged
, , , , , ,

SwiftKey Co-founder: Computers Can’t Just “Evolve” Intelligence

Can vain hopes for AI spring from a wrong understanding of evolution?
News
September 23, 2020
Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Natural Intelligence, Science
Ben Medlock asks us to look at self-organization as a principle of life, lacking in computers. Read More ›
media-reporter-with-microphone-making-journalist-interview-for-news-stockpack-adobe-stock.jpg
media reporter with microphone making journalist interview for news
Type
post
Author
Robert J. Marks
Date
May 25, 2020
Categorized
Artificial Intelligence, Science
Tagged
, ,

Advice to Physicists: “Shut Up and Do Physics”

Well-known public intellectuals sometimes stray outside their silos of expertise, showing questionable judgment about, for example, AI
Robert J. Marks
May 25, 2020
Artificial Intelligence, Science

Stephen Hawking was a genius in theoretical physics but he did not know much about computers and his fears of an AI takeover were unfounded.

Read More ›
rita-morais-108397-unsplash
Insider's Guidebook from the
Type
post
Author
Mind Matters
Date
December 4, 2018
Categorized
Artificial Intelligence, Natural Intelligence, Philosophy of Mind, Technocracy
Tagged
, , ,

Stephen Hawking and the AI Apocalypse

Can doomsday headlines, chasing fame, stand in for deep knowledge of a subject?
Mind Matters
December 4, 2018
Artificial Intelligence, Natural Intelligence, Philosophy of Mind, Technocracy
One thing a celebrity pundit can usually count on is an audience of media professionals who haven’t considered the problems carefully either and don’t want to. It is much easier and more profitable to market Doomsday than Levin’s Law. As always, the fact that laws governing the universe will eventually triumph is true but not news.   Read More ›
ciprian-boiciuc-193062-unsplash
Type
post
Author
Denyse O'Leary
Date
July 12, 2018
Categorized
Artificial Intelligence, Natural Intelligence
Tagged
, , , ,

AI machines taking over the world?

It’s a cool apocalypse but does that make it more likely?
Denyse O'Leary
July 12, 2018
Artificial Intelligence, Natural Intelligence

Doomsday thinking is easily mocked. The character marching  hairy and barefoot under his “End Is Near” sign, is a staple of cartoons in middlebrow mags. Yet when media magnets market doomsday scenarios—like the late Stephen Hawking (“worst event in the history of our civilization”) and Elon Musk (“an immortal dictator from which we would never escape”) — it’s a Cool apocalypse.

Read More ›