Parallax Views w/ J.G. Michael Ep. 73: Phil Torres on Existential Risks, Steven Pinker's Sloppy Scholarship, & Superintelligent AI
Catastrophic Climate Change. Superintelligent AI. It's the end of the world as we know it on this edition of Parallax Views as author and researcher Phil Torres joins us to discuss the emerging field of study known as existential risks. The concept of existential risk, which philosopher Nick Bostrom describes as "One where an adverse outcome would either annihilate Earth-originating intelligent life or permanently and drastically curtail its potential", may seem like the stuff of a dystopian sci-fi story, but in an age of rising right-wing populism, declining democracies, and anthropomorphic climate change it may be worth considering the topic seriously.
Additionally, Phil and I also delve into his recent run-ins with New Atheist. Despite being influenced by the New Atheists, Phil has been more than willing to criticize where he feels they get things wrong. In particular Phil recently took issue with what he argues is the poor and sloppy scholarship of juggernaut New Atheist public intellectual Steven Pinker's Enlightenment Now. Phil and I discuss why he critiqued Pinker's latest book, the fallout from it, and his run-ins with other New Atheist and "rationalist" adjacent figures like Peter Boghossian.
Moreover, we also cover the topic of artificial intelligence (AI) and whether it is a threat to human life. Phil argues that, while the popular conception of a Terminator-style Skynet scenario isn't likely, there are real risks involved with the development of artificial intelligence. All that and much more on this edition of Parallax Views!