Mirror Neurons and the Philosophy of Mind

Mirror Neurons and the Philosophy of Mind

Author: Discovery Institute Center on Natural and Artificial Intelligence April 18, 2026 Duration: 1:31:27
On this bingecast episode of Mind Matters News, host Dr. Robert J. Marks welcomes to the podcast Dr. Mihretu Guta to discuss one of his chapters in the volume Minding the Brain titled “Mirror Neurons, Consciousness, and the Bearer Question.” Dr. Guta discusses the concept of “mirror neurons” – a type of brain cell that fires when a person observes an action being performed, as well as when the person performs the same action themselves. The properties of these neurons suggest they may play a role in empathy and understanding others’ actions. Dr. Guta explores the implications of mirror neurons to the mind-brain debate and how further study could illuminate these fascinating neural components. 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
The Ins and Outs of Scaling Up AI: Dr. Donald Wunsch [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 0:00
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]

Duration: 0:00
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]

Duration: 0:00
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]

Duration: 0:00
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…
Bridging the Gap Between Neuroscience and Philosophy of Mind [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 0:00
On this episode of Mind Matters News, hosts Robert J. Marks and Brian Krouse continue their conversation with Dr. Joseph Green on the limitations of cutting-edge neuroscience. In this segment, the focus turns to the phil…
How Humility and Curiosity Can Help Neuroscience Mature [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 0:00
Modern neuroscience has made some truly amazing advances in recent decades. But even though we can record, map, and even manipulate brain activity in ways that once seemed impossible, we still don’t really understand how…