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Closer To Truth

Dan Dennett on the Mysteries of the Mind

Oct 4, 2023
Philosopher and cognitive scientist, Dan Dennett, discusses the mysteries of the mind in his memoir. Topics include language, evolution, logic, religion, free will, consciousness, and AI. Insights on Cartesian Materialism, Intentional Stance, and Darwinism. The illusion of reality and the concept of illusionism. Determinism, unpredictability, and the potential dangers of AI. Analyzing religion as a natural phenomenon. Humor, evolution, and consciousness.
01:21:35

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Consciousness should be studied objectively, like any other topic, and religion should be examined steely and rigorously without special treatment or assumptions.
  • AI consciousness is possible if robots can have conscious experiences similar to humans, but AI should be seen as a tool, not an artificial colleague.

Deep dives

The Complexity of Consciousness and Religion

Daniel Dennett discusses the complexity of consciousness and its relation to religion. He believes that consciousness is a natural phenomenon that should be studied objectively, just like any other topic. He also suggests that religion should be examined in a steely and rigorous manner, without any special treatment or assumptions. Dennett argues that religion is a cultural product that can be understood through the lens of evolution and cultural evolution. He also discusses the importance of breaking the spell of religion and approaching it with critical thinking and scientific analysis.

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