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 › Source

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: en-us Episodes: 100

Mind Matters
Podcast Episodes
How to Navigate the Real and Immediate Risks of AI [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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While the risk of AI becoming smarter than humans and taking over the world is often discussed, it can also distract us from a more pressing matter: the real-world, right-now risks of AI. On this episode of Mind Matters…
Will AI Make the World Better or Worse?  [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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If computers and AI took over the world, would we even notice? Today, host Robert J. Marks ponders this question as he continues his conversation with Dr. Donald Wunsch about his experiences with AI and his recent articl…
The Ins and Outs of Scaling Up AI: Dr. Donald Wunsch [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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On this episode of Mind Matters News, we’re continuing our conversation with Dr. Donald Wunsch on his experiences with AI and his recent article in the IEEE Computational Intelligence Magazine about artificial general in…
Robert J. Marks Remembers Tech Pioneer Walter Bradley [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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On today’s episode of Mind Matters News, Dr. Robert J. Marks joins Andrew McDiarmid, host of the ID The Future podcast, to share some of his personal anecdotes and professional insights about Dr. Walter Bradley, a scient…
Exploring Consciousness in Human and Artificial Intelligence [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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Today on Mind Matters News, hosts Robert J. Marks and Brian Krouse conclude their four-part conversation with Dr. Joseph Green on the limitations of modern neuroscience. Green is author of a chapter in the volume Minding…
Doug Smith: A Critical Look at Apple’s Virtual Reality Headset [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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What happens when you let Big Tech control how you see the world? Apple recently released a new model of the Apple Vision Pro headset. Although it can provide immersive experiences, what are the potential downsides to fu…