

Mind Matters
Discovery Institute Center on Natural and Artificial Intelligence
On the Mind Matters podcast, Discovery Institute’s Walter Bradley Center for Natural and Artificial Intelligence considers the implications and misconceptions, the opportunities and limitations, and the applications and challenges presented by intelligent agents and their algorithms. Episode notes and archives available at mindmatters.ai/podcast.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Apr 18, 2024 • 29min
The Non-Physical Nature of Being: More with Dr. Selmer Bringsjord
Dr. Selmer Bringsjord discusses the non-physical nature of mathematical objects and formal thinking. Topics include the importance of formal thinking, the contrast between determinacy and ambiguity, understanding algorithms, the essence of triangularity, and exploring philosophical argumentation in a thought-provoking manner.

Apr 11, 2024 • 26min
Exploring the Immaterial: A Conversation with Dr. Selmer Bringsjord
On this episode, host Pat Flynn is joined by Dr. Selmer Bringsjord, author of a fascinating and provocative chapter in the recent volume Minding the Brain. Dr. Bringsjord argues for the immateriality of mathematical objects as well as the immateriality of the human person. The argument challenges physicalism and raises questions about the nature of consciousness and the human person. The Read More ›
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Apr 4, 2024 • 21min
Is Methodological Naturalism Necessary for Scientific Progress?
In this episode, hosts Angus Menuge and Robert J. Marks conclude their three-part discussion with Dr. Robert Larmer about his chapter on methodological naturalism in the recent volume Minding the Brain. The trio argue that methodological naturalism is not the only viable approach in scientific inquiry and that it can be an obstruction to discovering the truth. They suggest that explanations Read More ›
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Mar 28, 2024 • 1h 26min
The State of Innovation and the Impact of AI
In this episode, host Robert J. Marks discusses the state of innovation and the impact of AI with guest Jeffrey Funk, author of the book Technology Change and the Rise of New Industries. They discuss the hype around AI, the limitations of large language models like GPT-3, the slowing rate of innovation, the impact of Goodhart’s Law on academia, and the Read More ›
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Mar 21, 2024 • 20min
Consciousness and Agency: A Critique of Methodological Naturalism
Exploration of methodological naturalism in science, challenging the idea of non-natural causes being beyond scientific inquiry. Discussion on the limitations of methodological naturalism in understanding consciousness and agency, highlighting the hard problem of consciousness and the role of physical sciences in explaining mental states.

Mar 14, 2024 • 16min
Methodological Naturalism: Neutral Principle or Self-Refuting Philosophy?
The podcast delves into methodological naturalism, discussing its impact on the search for truth, mental causation, human reasoning, and scientific rationality. It questions the biases introduced by only exploring physical causes and the limitations of excluding non-physical explanations.

Mar 7, 2024 • 27min
Debunking the Hype of Artificial General Intelligence
In this episode, host Michael Egnor speaks with Dr. William Dembski, a senior fellow at Discovery Institute’s Center for Science and Culture, about his essay titled “Artificial General Intelligence as an Idol for Destruction.” Dembski argues that the belief in the imminent arrival of artificial general intelligence (AGI) is unachievable and destructive. He points out that while AI has made Read More ›
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Feb 29, 2024 • 1h 5min
Can AI Ever Be Sentient? A Conversation with Blake Lemoine
Former Google engineer discusses the potential sentience of AI, exploring biases in AI models, limitations in passing the Turing test, and public unveiling of AI transcripts. The debate on AI programming parallels human behavior, delving into defining sentience and consciousness in AI. The discussion touches on AI's sense-making systems, ethical considerations, and personal spiritual journey from atheism to embracing Christianity and Eastern mysticism.

Feb 22, 2024 • 27min
The Primacy of Information Over Matter
In this episode, host Michael Egnor continues a conversation with Dr. William Dembski, a senior fellow at Discovery Institute’s Center for Science and Culture, about the relationship between the mind and the body. Dembski argues that if information is considered fundamental rather than matter, it dissolves the mind-body problem. He suggests that information is not constrained by the speed of Read More ›
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Feb 15, 2024 • 30min
William Dembski on Information and the Mind-Body Relationship
On this episode, host Michael Egnor speaks with Bill Dembski about the concept of information and its role in understanding the mind-body relationship. Dembski explains that information is a verb, representing the narrowing of possibilities and the constraining of contingency. He discusses how information can be understood in different contexts and how it relates to concepts such as meaning and communication. Read More ›
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