Why Our Minds Are More Than “Meat Computers”

Why Our Minds Are More Than “Meat Computers”

Author: Discovery Institute Center on Natural and Artificial Intelligence May 15, 2025 Duration: 0:00
Some scientists and philosophers hold the view that our brains are basically brains made of meat. Today, Dr. Eric Holloway and Dr. Robert J. Marks explain what’s wrong with this idea in the concluding segment of their conversation with guest host Patrick Flynn. For starters, the computational theory of mind may be incompatible with materialism or physicalism, as formal, abstract 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
Getting Intentional About Your Screens [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:35
Our obsession today with screens is, often unintentionally, taking us to places we regret. We use these windows into the world for hours every day, often unaware how intentional content creators and app designers are in…
Patents: A License To Sue [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:45
What is the criteria for being granted a US patent? US Citizenship? Scrutiny? How long does a patent last? Source
Can a Computer Be a Person? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:07:16
Are we on the verge of the era of machines? Is AI destined to supplant most human endeavors and activities? Can a computer be deemed a person? And if so, should that computer be granted rights as part of the moral commun…
An Excerpt from Chapter Two of Non-Computable You [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:35
What You Do That Artificial Intelligence Never Will by Mind Matters podcast host Robert J. Marks is now available in audiobook form. Listen now to an excerpt from the second chapter as read by Larry Nobles. Will machines…
Hinduism, Philosophy, and the Mind [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:15:48
Arjuna Gallagher is the host of the YouTube Channel called Theology Unleashed and a Hindu. He discusses Hinduism’s unique perspective regarding subjects such as metaphysics, evil, and free will with Dr. Michael Egnor. Th…
Appropriate Technology: The Haitian Energy Problem [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 0:00
Not all countries need the latest technologies. Those in developing countries don’t need high powered computers or the latest car from Tesla. They have more fundamental concerns like how do I feed my family tomorrow? Whe…
Get a Sneak Peek of the New Non-Computable You Audiobook [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:10
Will machines someday replace attorneys, physicians, computer programmers, and world leaders? What about composers, painters, and novelists? Will tomorrow’s supercomputers duplicate and exceed humans? Are we just wetware…
The Nature of Mind, Body, and Soul [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 0:00
How do the mind, the body, and the soul interact? After years of studying the brain, there are still many questions. Dr. Joshua Farris discusses free will, consciousness, and philosophy on this bingecast with Dr. Michael…
School Shooters, the AI Church, and Patents [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:43
Walter Bradley Center Director and Mind Matters podcast host Robert J. Marks discusses artificial intelligence and predicting school shootings with John Catsimatidis on The Cats Roundtable. He talks about religions based…