Aaron Sloman: What is Life? Information, Intelligence, and the Ineffable within Science

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Jul 3, 2025

Join Aaron Sloman, Emeritus Professor of AI and Cognitive Science, as he redefines life through the lens of information rather than just biological processes. He shares insights on animal cognition, emphasizing intelligence that can exist without language. The conversation ventures into the complexities of the mind-body problem and the role of technology in cognitive augmentation. Sloman also questions the deeper purpose of human existence amid modern challenges, urging a multidisciplinary approach to unlock the mysteries of life.

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INSIGHT

Beyond Shannon's Information Theory

Shannon's theory of information is limited to digital bit-based systems and does not generalize to biological information processes.
Biological organisms use information in complex ways for growth, movement, and transformations beyond mere bit manipulation.

INSIGHT

Life's Unique Informational Role

Scientific models fail to capture life’s informational dimension because life uses information purposefully for goals, unlike physical phenomena like tornadoes.
Life uniquely involves representation of possible futures and purposeful transformations of itself and its environment.

INSIGHT

Metamorphosis Challenges Physics

Metamorphosis illustrates biological processes that disassemble and reassemble organism parts using minimal energy in controlled ways.
Current fundamental physics lacks explanations for these control mechanisms underlying metamorphosis and biological transformations.

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Aaron Sloman is Emeritus/Honorary Professor of Artificial Intelligence and Cognitive Science at University of Birmingham, UK. He is a Fellow of Association for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence, Society for the Study of Artificial Intelligence and the Simulation of Behaviour and European Coordinating Committee for Artificial Intelligence. In 2018, he became a Fellow of the Alan Turing Institute. Sussex University awarded him an honorary Doctorate of Science in July 2006. The Sloman Lounge in the School of Computer Science at the University of Birmingham is named in his honour. In 2020 the American Philosophical Association (APA) awarded him the K. Jon Barwise Prize "for significant and sustained contributions to areas relevant to philosophy and computing". He has published widely on philosophy of mathematics, epistemology, cognitive science, and artificial intelligence.TIMESTAMPS:(0:00) - Introduction (0:15) - Rethinking the term "Information"(8:50) - What is Life?(11:32) - Limits of Fundamental Physics (ft Anthony Leggett)(18:13) - Role of Philosophy in Science(21:50) - Aaron's diverse body of knowledge(25:40) - Information without Bits(28:20) - Cognition Before Language(32:52) - Intelligent Systems vs Consciousness(35:00) - Machines vs Biological Complexity(40:50) - Toward a Unified Theory of Life & Mind(44:25) - Exploring Science with a Novel Body of Knowledge(50:00) - The Mind-Body Problem(53:00) - Human Augmentation & Telos(56:44) - Aaron's Legacy(1:00:00) - What is Life by Erwin Schrödinger(1:02:15) - Building Upon the Shoulders of Giants(1:06:00) - Final Thoughts (1:08:14) - ConclusionEPISODE LINKS:- Aaron's Website 1: https://cogaffarchive.org/misc/whatlife.html- Aaron's Website 2: https://cogaffarchive.org/evol-devol.html- Aaron's Publications: https://tinyurl.com/43nb4xx2- Aaron's Books: https://tinyurl.com/45wynvrzCONNECT:- Website: https://tevinnaidu.com - Podcast: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/mindbodysolution- YouTube: https://youtube.com/mindbodysolution- Twitter: https://twitter.com/drtevinnaidu- Facebook: https://facebook.com/drtevinnaidu - Instagram: https://instagram.com/drtevinnaidu- LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/drtevinnaidu=============================Disclaimer: The information provided on this channel is for educational purposes only. The content is shared in the spirit of open discourse and does not constitute, nor does it substitute, professional or medical advice. We do not accept any liability for any loss or damage incurred from you acting or not acting as a result of listening/watching any of our contents. You acknowledge that you use the information provided at your own risk. Listeners/viewers are advised to conduct their own research and consult with their own experts in the respective fields.