Parker's Pensées

In episode 237 of the Parker's Pensées Podcast, I'm joined by Dr. Ben Goertzel to discuss the philosophy of artificial general intelligence. We dive into the distinction between analytic and continental philosophy, the definition of artificial general intelligence, and take a deep dive into Ben's work on his latest AGI project, OpenCog Hyperon. It's an amazing episode and hopefully the first of like a hundred episodes with Ben! 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_pensees If 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/parkerspensees Sub to my Substack to read my thoughts on my episodes: https://parknotes.substack.com/ Check out my blog posts: https://parkersettecase.com/ Check out my Parker's Pensées YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYbTRurpFP5q4TpDD_P2JDA Check out my other YouTube channel on my frogs and turtles: https://www.youtube.com/c/ParkerSettecase Check me out on Twitter: https://twitter.com/trendsettercase Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/parkers_pensees/0:00 - Why AGI instead of the Metaverse? 13:25 - Nihilism/Semi-Reality and the Mind 29:33 - Reverse engineering past authors 31:04 - What is Intelligence? 38:12 - What is Artificial General Intelligence? 39:10 - Analytic Philosophy vs. Continental Philosophy 44:13 - Emulating the Human Mind not the Human Brain 51:05 - The OpenCog Hyperon Architecture and the BlockChain 54:50 - Creating a New Language for AGI (Metta Type Talk) 58:38 - Recurrent Networks for AGI 1:03:39 - The SophiaVerse virtual world for training AGIs 1:04:47 - Morality and Large Language Models 1:12:40 - The Frame Problem for LLMs 1:15:17 - The Secret Formula for AGI (Cognitive Synergy) 1:17:40 - Kill Switches and Existential Threats 1:25:14 - Why "Hyperon"?

Dr. Mike Huemer, a philosophy professor renowned for his insights on the problem of other minds, joins the discussion to unravel complex topics. They explore whether emotions in artificial intelligence are genuine or mere mimicry. Huemer critiques traditional approaches to understanding consciousness in both humans and animals. The engaging dialogue delves into the challenges of inferring mental states from behavior, alongside philosophical inquiries about the nature of belief and perception across species.

Join Dr. K. Scott Oliphint, an expert in apologetics and theology, as he delves into Cornelius Van Til's transformative theories. The conversation explores the divide between continental and analytic philosophy, and the significance of presuppositions in understanding God's creation. Oliphint highlights Van Til's unique transcendental arguments and their biblical resonance, while also reflecting on his personal journey through reform theology. Discover the vital interplay of faith and reason in effective apologetics, all through the lens of Van Til's profound insights.

David Chalmers, a philosopher known for his work on consciousness and simulation theory, dives into profound questions about existence and divinity. He argues that we might live in a computer simulation, suggesting this as an intriguing argument for the existence of a programmer-like God. Chalmers explores the complex relationship between theism and atheism through the simulation hypothesis, raising moral questions about worship in a potential simulated reality. His insights challenge conventional views on creation and existence.

Dr. Lenore Blum, mathematician, discusses the recent petition for AI researchers to study consciousness. They explore the Conscious Turing Machine model, pain and empathy in robots, information processing in the theater of consciousness, tacit knowledge in infants, and the limitations of AI and computational theories of mind.

Dr. Sven Nyholm discusses the ethics of technology and especially artificial intelligence, covering topics like instrumental vs. anthropological view of technology, technological determinism, ChatGPT and plagiarism, and exploring different perspectives on technology's agency and moral decisions.

Dr. Henry Taylor, a consciousness scholar from the University of Birmingham, dives deep into the philosophy of mind and consciousness. He navigates the intricate relationship between consciousness and personal identity while addressing ethical dilemmas posed by AI advancements. The conversation touches on historical philosophical perspectives and contemporary scientific debates, exploring how consciousness might be understood better through a blend of both fields. Taylor also reflects on the implications of synthetic biology and the ethical responsibilities tied to creating conscious beings.

Dr. Claudia Passos, an Assistant Professor of Bioethics with dual PhDs in psychology and philosophy, dives into the nuanced topic of consciousness in both infants and machines. She explores how we assess consciousness without verbal communication, discussing the challenges of infant pain perception and reflexive actions. The conversation also delves into philosophical theories of consciousness, including Integrated Information Theory, and raises ethical questions about AI's potential moral status. A fascinating blend of science and philosophy awaits!

Dr. Carlos Montemayor, an authority on the consciousness of non-linguistic human animals, dives deep into animal cognition. He explores whether animals, like bees and corvids, perceive time and make complex navigational decisions. The discussion even touches on canine intelligence and emotional bonds. Montemayor challenges the distinction between consciousness and intelligence, raising ethical questions about our treatment of conscious beings. The conversation highlights the diverse experiences of animals, emphasizing the need for a more profound understanding of their consciousness.

Dr. Garrett Mindt, a program director at the Center for the Future Mind, dives deep into the hard problem of consciousness. He explores integrated information theory and its implications for understanding reality and identity. The conversation addresses the ethical considerations of consciousness in AI, advocating for broad moral perspectives beyond human intelligence. They also ponder the nature of machine consciousness and question whether artificial entities can truly possess awareness, inviting listeners to rethink their notions of existence.