A Liberating Alternative to Methodological Naturalism in Science

A Liberating Alternative to Methodological Naturalism in Science

Author: Discovery Institute Center on Natural and Artificial Intelligence June 26, 2025 Duration: 0:00
Today, hosts Robert J. Marks and Angus Menuge welcome Dr. Robert Larmer to discuss methodological naturalism, the topic of his chapter in Minding the Brain, a recent anthology exploring the mind-body debate. Methodological naturalism is the view that science should only appeal to natural causes and never to supernatural or non-physical causes, even if they exist. Dr. Larmer argues that methodological Read More ›

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What does it mean to think, to create, or to be conscious in an age of machines? Mind Matters, from the Discovery Institute Center on Natural and Artificial Intelligence, digs into these profound questions without easy answers. This isn't a series of dry technical lectures; it's a thoughtful exploration where technology intersects with philosophy, culture, and the very fabric of society. Each episode examines the real-world impact of intelligent systems, separating hype from reality while considering both their staggering potential and their inherent limitations. You'll hear discussions that go beyond algorithms to ask what these developments reveal about human nature itself. The conversations hosted by the Walter Bradley Center tackle misconceptions, ethical challenges, and the practical applications that are reshaping our world. Tune in for a nuanced perspective that connects the dots between silicon and soul, offering a essential guide to understanding not just how our tools work, but what they mean for our future. This podcast provides a unique space to grapple with the ideas that will define the coming decades.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 201

Mind Matters
Podcast Episodes
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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. I…
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Science of The Soul: Evaluating Dualism and Naturalism [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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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 o…
A Brief History of the Soul [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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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…
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From Physicalism to Idealism: Challenging Assumptions about Reality [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:01
Can the mind be understood independently of physical matter? On today’s episode, neurosurgeon Michael Egnor continues his conversation with Dr. Angus Menuge, Chair of Philosophy at Concordia University, about his book Mi…