Ep. 271 - Arguments for God from AI w/Dr. Selmer Bringsjord

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Mar 3, 2025

Dr. Selmer Bringsjord, a renowned philosopher and cognitive scientist, dives deep into the intriguing intersection of AI and theology. He presents a compelling argument for God's existence through advanced AI, highlighting the philosophical implications of consciousness and cognition. The conversation also challenges the notion that cognition is merely computation, scrutinizing the irreversible aspects of both AI and human thought processes. Bringsjord's insights touch on the unique cognitive abilities of humans, inviting listeners to contemplate the divine mystery within our understanding of consciousness.

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ANECDOTE

Genesis of the Argument

Dr. Bringsjord's argument for God from AI was catalyzed by Steven Pinker's book, How the Mind Works.
Pinker's book attempts to address Wallace's Paradox, the gap between Darwin's evolutionary theory and the advanced cognitive abilities of humans.

INSIGHT

Argument for God from AI

Dr. Bringsjord's argument centers on humans' capacity for higher-level cognition, like calculus, not necessary for basic survival.
This unexplained gap motivates a 'personal' explanation, God, possessing similar attributes.

ANECDOTE

Challenging Peterson/Pinker

Parker Sedeckes challenges Jordan Peterson's and Steven Pinker's view that complex cognition evolved from environmental mapping.
Dr. Bringsjord argues this doesn't account for the complexity of mathematical reasoning.

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In episode 271 of the Parker's Pensées Podcast, I'm joined once again to by Dr. Selmer Bringsjord. This time we discuss his argument for God's existence from the existence of a particular type of AI which has already been achieved. We then get into his Irreversibility argument against the idea that "cognition just is computation" which has implications for the project of phenomenally conscious machines. It's an awesome episode! Find Dr. Bringsjord's published papers here: http://kryten.mm.rpi.edu/scb_vitae_072024.pdf→Sponsors/Discounts Check out https://murdycreative.co/PARKERNOTES and use promo code PARKERNOTES at check out for 10% off your entire order!!Grab a Field Notes notebook or memo book wallet like the one from the video from my affiliate link here to support my work and use promo code PARKERNOTES for 10% off your entire order: https://fieldnotesbrand.com/products/daily-carry-leather-notebook-cover?aff=44I'm finally a Saddleback affiliate so if you like their stuff buy something from my link and you can also support my work! Check out the catalog here: https://saddlebackleather.com/leather-moleskine-cover-medium/?ktk=d0pac01BLWJmZWY1MmZiYTFiJoin this channel to get access to perks:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYbTRurpFP5q4TpDD_P2JDA/joinJoin the Facebook group, Parker's Pensées Penseurs, here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/960471494536285/If you like this podcast, then support it on Patreon for $3, $5 or more a month. Any amount helps, and for $5 you get a Parker's Pensées sticker and instant access to all the episode as I record them instead of waiting for their release date. Check it out here: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/parkers_penseesIf you want to give a one-time gift, you can give at my Paypal: https://paypal.me/ParkersPensees?locale.x=en_US Check out my merchandise at my Teespring store: https://teespring.com/stores/parkers-penses-merch Come talk with the Pensées community on Discord: dsc.gg/parkerspenseesSub to my Substack to read my thoughts on my episodes: https://parknotes.substack.com/