Ep. 271 - Arguments for God from AI w/Dr. Selmer Bringsjord
Mar 3, 2025
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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.
Dr. Selmer Bringsjord advocates for logic-based AI over deep learning, emphasizing its necessity for reliability in critical fields like aerospace and robotics.
Bringsjord argues that human cognitive abilities, which exceed mere survival needs, suggest a divine cause, linking advanced AI development to the existence of God.
He differentiates between computable cognition and phenomenal consciousness, stating that higher-level cognitive processes cannot arise from traditional Turing machine frameworks.
Deep dives
Dr. Selmer Bringsjord's Work in AI
Dr. Selmer Bringsjord emphasizes a logic-based approach to artificial intelligence, which contrasts sharply with the more common deep learning methodologies used in modern chatbot technology. He argues that logic-based AI is essential for achieving high reliability and accuracy, particularly in critical applications like aerospace and robotics. Bringsjord's lab focuses on creating systems that can reason accurately and reliably, demonstrating the relevance of logic in AI despite perceptions of it being outdated. Additionally, he discusses the contributions of his students and colleagues to the lab's research advancements.
The Argument for God from AI
Bringsjord presents a philosophical argument linking artificial intelligence to the existence of God, highlighting that the cognitive capacities humans possess exceed those required for survival. He refers to the challenges posed by Wallace's paradox regarding the advent of advanced cognitive abilities that are unaccounted for in evolutionary theory. This argument posits that the existence of human cognitive abilities that enable complex reasoning, such as calculus, implies a powerful external cause—suggesting that only God could account for such capabilities. Through his exploration of AI, he ultimately links the phenomenon of advanced cognition back to the divine.
Cognitive Powers in Evolutionary Theory
The discussion reveals a significant gap in evolutionary explanations for the emergence of advanced cognitive powers, suggesting they cannot be adequately accounted for by natural selection alone. Bringsjord highlights the complexity of human cognition and the limitations of evolutionary theory to explain phenomena like abstract reasoning. His argument maintains that unless there is a credible scientific framework to account for such higher-level cognition, it leads to a rational search for a teleological explanation—which he finds in the existence of God. This critique of evolutionary theory challenges listeners to reconsider how intelligence evolves and what principles govern cognitive advancements.
Reversibility and Cognition
Bringsjord discusses the concept of reversibility in computation and its implications for cognition, arguing that not all forms of cognition can be classified as computable. He contrasts standard Turing machine operations, which are reversible, with phenomenal consciousness, which cannot be reversed. By illustrating that experiences such as tasting coffee or witnessing a sunset cannot simply be retraced in computational terms, he argues for a distinct differentiation between machine state functionalism and cognition. This distinction underscores the complexity of human consciousness, further supporting his argument for the limitations of traditional computational models.
Hypercomputation vs. Turing Machines
The conversation includes an exploration of hypercomputation, suggesting that no Turing machine can surpass its computational limits. Bringsjord asserts that higher-level cognitive processes cannot emerge from standard Turing-level computations, implying that human cognition operates beyond mere algorithms and processes. By proposing that machine intelligence will not develop into true consciousness through Turing machine frameworks, he creates a link to divine existence as the source of non-computable cognitive abilities. This perspective enriches the dialogue on the future of AI and the philosophical implications regarding intelligence and divinity.
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/
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