Mind Matters Natural and Artificial Intelligence News and Analysis

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Mind Burst
Type
post
Author
News
Date
April 17, 2024
Categorized
Natural Intelligence
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Could Consciousness Have Evolved?

Michael Egnor takes a hard look at the evidence in this classic podcast episode.
News
April 17, 2024
1
Natural Intelligence

On a classic episode of ID the Future, neurosurgeon Michael Egnor interviews Bernardo Kastrup, a philosopher with a background in computer engineering, about consciousness, evolution, and intelligent design. Did consciousness evolve? What does the evidence suggest? And how do materialists deal with the seemingly immaterial reality that is consciousness?  Enjoy this guest episode from Mind Matters, a podcast of Discovery Institute’s Walter Bradley Center for Natural and Artificial Intelligence. Dig Deeper Cross-posted at Evolution News.

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ai technology, robotic technology system, molecule of chemical, atom cell plexus and science, abstract futuristic universe cyber network server online, background illustration 3d rendering
Type
post
Author
News
Date
April 11, 2024
Categorized
Artificial Intelligence
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Meta AI Scientist: AGI is a Pipe Dream

Human intelligence still can't be matched by a soulless algorithm
News
April 11, 2024
2
Artificial Intelligence

Predictions on AI’s ever-developing complexity have tech optimists counting the days until the machine replaces the human mind. Artificial general intelligence is the term they use to describe the point in which AI will officially overtake human intelligence. However, certain experts in the field, among them Robert J. Marks, host of the Mind Matters podcast, protest the assumption. AI researcher and scientist Yann LeCun, the AI chief at Meta, said recently that the current AI systems are nowhere close to achieving human-like intelligence. LeCun said, “We’re easily fooled into thinking they are intelligent because of their fluency with language, but really, their understanding of reality is very superficial,” he said. “They’re useful, there’s no question about that. But on the Read More ›

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Student, anxiety and woman in busy college campus with depression, sad and mental health problems. Burnout, stress and tired girl thinking about exam, assignment or project deadline at university
Type
post
Author
Peter Biles
Date
March 22, 2024
Categorized
Neuroscience
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Thinking of the “Bigger Picture”

New study on how transcendent thinking enhances and improves the brain in adolescents
Peter Biles
March 22, 2024
2
Neuroscience
Going beyond worksheets and standardized tests to grapple with "the bigger picture" looks to be the sort of education we all need the most. Read More ›
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Glowing mind image . Mixed media
Type
post
Author
News
Date
March 22, 2024
Categorized
Philosophy
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Doesn’t Methodological Naturalism Refute Itself?

Listen to the new podcast episode discussing this question
News
March 22, 2024
1
Philosophy

Get caught up with the Mind Matters podcast by listening to this special episode featuring hosts Angus Menuge and Robert J. Marks and their guest, Dr. Robert Larmer. Dr. Larmer wrote a fascinating chapter in last year’s groundbreaking book Minding the Brain, and sat down with Mind Matters to discuss the limits of “methodological naturalism.” For Larmer, this approach to getting knowledge is limited because it rules out non-physical causes, even if they exist. In addition, holding to naturalism at all costs can undermine our self-understanding as rational agents. How can we trust our brains? Does the physical activity in our brains correlate with non-physical mental states? Find out more by listening to Part One of the conversation here. Be Read More ›

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Artificial neuron in concept of artificial intelligence. Wall-shaped binary codes make transmission lines of pulses and/or information in an analogy to a microchip.
Type
post
Author
J.R. Miller
Date
March 8, 2024
Categorized
Artificial Intelligence
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Wrestling with AI: Making More and Better Disciples

AI may have "knowledge," but it lacks wisdom.
J.R. Miller
March 8, 2024
7
Artificial Intelligence
Even if it were possible that AI reaches consciousness — it will never have the mind of Christ. Read More ›
selective-focus-of-robotic-arm-holding-glass-of-water-and-person-taking-notes-at-wooden-table-stockpack-adobe-stock
selective focus of robotic arm holding glass of water and person taking notes at wooden table
Type
post
Author
Peter Biles
Date
February 1, 2024
Categorized
Artificial Intelligence, Arts & Culture
Tagged
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Japanese Novelist Who Won Prestigious Literary Award Unabashedly Used ChatGPT

Meanwhile, authors in the United States are waging war against AI for copyright violation
Peter Biles
February 1, 2024
4
Artificial Intelligence, Arts & Culture
While stylistically, the prose AI "created" for Karan's novel might be "flawless," it lacks credibility because it lacks the human voice. Read More ›
big-data-and-artificial-intelligence-concept-machine-learning-and-cyber-mind-domination-concept-in-form-of-women-face-on-dark-blue-technology-background-3d-illustration-stockpack-adobe-stock
Big data and artificial intelligence concept. Machine learning and cyber mind domination concept in form of women face on dark blue technology background, 3d illustration.
Type
post
Author
Joshua R. Farris
Date
December 22, 2023
Categorized
Philosophy of Mind
Tagged
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Defending Why We’re More than Machines

We need to look beyond materialism to understand what it means to be human.
Joshua R. Farris
December 22, 2023
2
Philosophy of Mind
If something like dualism is true, then it goes a long way to showing the implausibility of the idea that we are solely meat machines, robots, etc. Read More ›
a-meteor-streaks-across-the-milky-way-during-the-perseid-meteor-shower-of-2016-stockpack-adobe-stock
A meteor streaks across the Milky Way during the Perseid meteor shower of 2016.
Type
post
Author
Angus J. Menuge
Date
December 15, 2023
Categorized
Philosophy of Mind
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Science Needs a Mind to Work

The use of science to discredit the existence of mental subjects is fatally flawed.
Angus J. Menuge
December 15, 2023
3
Philosophy of Mind
The idea that science has somehow shown the irrelevance of the mind to explaining behavior is seriously confused. Read More ›
brain-activity-stockpack-adobe-stock
Brain activity
Type
post
Author
Joshua Farris, R.T Mullins
Date
December 12, 2023
Categorized
Philosophy of Mind
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Philip Goff’s “Why” and Inflated Success

We are still nowhere closer to arriving at a science of consciousness
Joshua Farris, R.T Mullins
December 12, 2023
4
Philosophy of Mind
There’s little of substance favoring this new theory of consciousness. We still need something like a god piloting the universe.  Read More ›
two-scientists-in-the-brain-research-laboratory-work-on-a-project-using-personal-computer-with-mri-scans-show-brain-anomalies-neuroscientists-at-work-stockpack-adobe-stock
Two Scientists in the Brain Research Laboratory work on a Project, Using Personal Computer with MRI Scans Show Brain Anomalies. Neuroscientists at Work.
Type
post
Author
News
Date
December 7, 2023
Categorized
Neuroscience
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On the Limitations of Cutting-Edge Neuroscience

Neuroscientist Joseph Green separates the hype from reality when it comes to current brain research.
News
December 7, 2023
3
Neuroscience
The current dogma that pervades neuroscience is established by intellectual pressure rather than solid scientific evidence. Read More ›
people-in-the-art-gallery-center-stockpack-adobe-stock
people in the art gallery center
Type
post
Author
Peter Biles
Date
December 5, 2023
Categorized
Artificial Intelligence, Arts & Culture
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Why AI Can’t Create Genuine Beauty

AI, though a helpful tool in certain contexts, cannot replace the intentionality and creativity of the human person.
Peter Biles
December 5, 2023
3
Artificial Intelligence, Arts & Culture
If our experiences are all just brain chemicals responding to different gradations of light, it would seem nigh impossible to defend beauty. Read More ›
conceptual-image-of-brain-working-brain-in-thought-process-with-men-working-concept-of-mind-generating-ideas-trapped-brain-brain-taken-prisoner-generative-ai-stockpack-adobe-stock
Conceptual image of brain working. Brain in thought process with men working. Concept of mind generating ideas. Trapped brain. Brain taken prisoner. Generative ai.
Type
post
Author
Michael Egnor
Date
October 24, 2023
Categorized
Philosophy of Mind
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How Could Human Consciousness “Evolve”?

Human consciousness entails a unique human ability to think abstractly .
Michael Egnor
October 24, 2023
5
Philosophy of Mind
According to Darwinian “science,” things changed, survivors survived, and the human ability to think abstractly materialized out of thin air. Read More ›
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Nobel Peace Center in Oslo, Norway
Type
post
Author
News
Date
October 4, 2023
Categorized
Philosophy of Mind
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When Science Points Beyond the Physical

The idea that science has somehow shown the irrelevance of the mind to explaining behavior is seriously confused. 
News
October 4, 2023
3
Philosophy of Mind
Any attempt to use science to discredit the existence of mental subjects is fatally flawed because the bedrock data for all science comes from observation. Read More ›
stump-of-tree-felled-section-of-the-trunk-with-annual-rings-slice-wood-stockpack-adobe-stock
Stump of tree felled - section of the trunk with annual rings. Slice wood.
Type
post
Author
Robert J. Marks
Date
September 25, 2023
Categorized
Philosophy of Mind
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An Introduction to Minding the Brain

Is your mind the same thing as your brain? Or are there aspects of mind that are external to the biology of the brain?
Robert J. Marks
September 25, 2023
6
Philosophy of Mind

Editor’s note: We are delighted to welcome the new book from Discovery Institute Press, Minding the Brain: Models of the Mind, Information, and Empirical Science, edited by Angus J. Menuge, Brian R. Krouse, and Robert J. Marks. Below is an excerpt from the Introduction. Look for more information at MindingtheBrain.org. Is your mind the same thing as your brain? Or are there aspects of mind that are external to the biology of the brain? This question, referred to as the mind-body problem or the mind-brain problem, has been debated for centuries and has captivated curious minds since the dawn of human contemplation. What is the relationship between our mental life and physical body? Intuition suggests our subjective experience of the world is tightly Read More ›

Minding the Brain
Type
post
Author
News
Date
September 19, 2023
Categorized
Philosophy of Mind
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The Mind is More than the Brain

A new anthology, out today, features 25 philosophers with fresh insights on the mind-body problem.
News
September 19, 2023
4
Philosophy of Mind
Their provocative conclusion? The mind is indeed more than the brain. We will be offering brief excerpts here in weeks to come. Read More ›
beautiful-woman-looking-at-self-reflection-in-mirror-stockpack-adobe-stock
Beautiful woman looking at self reflection in mirror.
Type
podcast
Author
Michael Egnor
Date
September 14, 2023
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The Person as “Immaterial Substance”

Michael Egnor
September 14, 2023
1

Is there substantial evidence that we are more than our bodies? And does that point to the existence of God? Theological anthropologist Dr. Joshua Farris thinks so. In this podcast episode, Farris speaks with host and neurosurgeon Michael Egnor to talk about materialism, mind, and theism, as well as Farris’ new book: The Creation of Self.  Additional Resources

visualizatipon-of-human-consciousness-in-artificial-intelligence-process-of-thinking-robot-humanoid-android-on-dark-background-with-neurals-connection-created-with-generative-ai-stockpack-adobe-stock
Visualizatipon of human consciousness in artificial intelligence, process of thinking robot. Humanoid android on dark background with neurals connection. Created with Generative AI
Type
post
Author
David Hsing
Date
September 6, 2023
Categorized
Artificial Intelligence
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Artificial Consciousness Remains Impossible (Part 2)

A machine no more “does things on its own” than a catapult flings by itself.
David Hsing
September 6, 2023
11
Artificial Intelligence
Randomness is a red herring when it comes to serving as an indicator of consciousness. Read More ›
feuer-und-eis-adam-und-gott-stockpack-adobe-stock
Feuer und Eis Adam und Gott
Type
post
Author
Gary Varner
Date
August 26, 2023
Categorized
Arts & Culture, Science Fiction
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Westworld Episode 10 Review (Part Two)

Welcome to the dark end of the journey
Gary Varner
August 26, 2023
7
Arts & Culture, Science Fiction

Last time, Teddy had just finished saving Dolores from the Man in Black, who turned out to be William all along. He takes her to the coast because that was where he promised to take her when they were performing their pre-programmed loop. However, the coast is apparently not very far because as Dolores dies in his arms, Teddy starts reciting a campy monologue, and then shuts down while the board applauds the speech. Even when they’re trying to escape their loop, the robots still, somehow, find themselves trapped in yet another one of Dr. Ford’s narratives. Dr. Ford appears, addresses the crowd, then orders for Teddy to be cleaned up, and for Dolores to be taken to a nearby Read More ›

atom-stockpack-adobe-stock
Atom
Type
post
Author
News
Date
August 9, 2023
Categorized
Philosophy of Mind
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Does Consciousness Defeat Materialism?

There is a re-emerging interest in consciousness and the mind
News
August 9, 2023
2
Philosophy of Mind

What would it take for “consciousness,” undoubtedly a nebulous and broad term, to defeat the idea that the mind is no more than the brain? For Dean Radin, a parapsychology researcher who was featured on the Closer to Truth program this month, it depends on what you mean by matter. “If you just look through history about the nature of matter, how has it changed historically, it has become more and more ephemeral. And I will imagine it will continue to become more ephemeral,” he said. For Radin, then, matter is complicated, and if you look closely enough, ends up being “mostly nothing.” If you’ve seen the new Oppenheimer movie, directed by Christopher Nolan, perhaps you’ll remember the scene in Read More ›