

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

Jan 25, 2024 • 1h 45min
Healing the Brain: Insights from a Neurologist
Our brains are amazingly complex systems! But like most complex systems, there are lots of ways things can go wrong. But our brain is also adaptive, able to cope with or heal from some issues, either on its own over time or with medical intervention. On today’s episode, neurologist Dr. Andrew Knox discusses some of what can go wrong and Read More ›
Source

Jan 18, 2024 • 23min
Unpacking Idealism: Animals and Consciousness
In this episode, co-hosts Robert J. Marks and Brian R. Krouse continue to discuss the concept of idealism with guest Dr. Doug Axe. The topic this time is idealism and its implications for animals and quantum mechanics. Idealism suggests that reality consists of thinkers and their thoughts, with physical objects perhaps being the thoughts of God. When it comes to Read More ›
Source

Jan 11, 2024 • 32min
A Commonsense Defense of Idealism
In this episode, co-hosts Robert J. Marks and Brian R. Krouse discuss the concept of idealism with guest Dr. Doug Axe. Idealism is the belief that reality exists exclusively in the minds and ideas of individuals. Dr. Axe explains that idealism suggests that the physical world is a product of divine thoughts, and that everything that exists is made up Read More ›
Source

Jan 4, 2024 • 27min
Science of The Soul: Evaluating Dualism and Naturalism
Experts Dr. Stewart Goetz and Dr. Charles Taliaferro discuss substance dualism, motivations behind naturalism, challenges of physicalism, and the concept of liberal naturalism. They explore the connection between heat, warmth, and pain, the purpose of science, and reflect on the soul, higher education, and C.S. Lewis's perspective.

Dec 28, 2023 • 1h 29min
Can Artificial Intelligence Hold Copyright or Patents?
Should AI get legal credit for what it generates? On this episode of Mind Matters from the archive, host Robert J. Marks welcomes attorney and author Richard Stevens to discuss the concept of legal neutrality for artificial intelligence (AI) and its implications for copyright and patent law. Stevens explains that AI is a tool created and controlled by humans, and therefore should Read More ›
Source

Dec 21, 2023 • 23min
The Self and the Body: Substance Dualism Explored
In this episode of Mind Matters, host Pat Flynn continues his discussion about substance dualism with experts Dr. Stewart Goetz and Dr. Charles Taliaferro. They explore arguments in favor of substance dualism, focusing on the primacy of self-awareness and the first-person point of view. They argue that our sense of self as substantial beings over time is more convincing than the Read More ›
Source

Dec 14, 2023 • 21min
A Brief History of the Soul
In this episode of Mind Matters, host Pat Flynn begins a discussion about substance dualism with experts Dr. Stewart Goetz and Dr. Charles Taliaferro. They provide a brief history of the soul, explaining that the concept of the soul is universal and not limited to Greek philosophy. They discuss how Plato and Descartes contributed to the understanding of the soul, with Read More ›
Source

Dec 7, 2023 • 33min
Gary Habermas on the Scientific Evidence for Near-Death Experiences
Is there strong scientific evidence for near-death experiences? On this episode of Mind Matters, we’re happy to share host Andrew McDiarmid’s recent ID The Future conversation with Dr. Gary Habermas about his chapter evaluating the evidence for near-death experiences in the recent book Minding the Brain. As Dr. Habermas explains, most near-death accounts contain both objective and subjective elements. While personal testimony about other Read More ›
Source

Nov 30, 2023 • 43min
Hope & Energy: Empowering Haiti Through Appropriate Technology
In the fall of 2022, the country of Haiti was facing a fuel and energy crisis, and in the intervening months, the situation has unfortunately not improved. In this episode of Mind Matters from the archive, host Robert J. Marks interviews Brian Thomas and Kayla Garrett from JustEnergy, a nonprofit organization that works in Haiti to provide solar energy systems Read More ›
Source

Nov 23, 2023 • 43min
Evaluating Popular Theories of the Mind-Brain Relationship
Neurosurgeon Michael Egnor discusses popular mind-brain theories such as Cartesian and Thomistic dualism. They compare the strengths and weaknesses of each theory, emphasizing the importance of the soul in explaining consciousness. The concept of information in the mind-brain relationship is explored, considering measures of information and its relationship to entropy. The absence of abstract thought during seizures is discussed and its implications for understanding the mind-brain relationship. They also delve into the hesitancy of neuroscientists to challenge accepted views and recommend a book on brain models and empirical science.