Abstraction & Idealization: AI's Plato Problem [Mazviita Chirimuuta]

About this episode

Professor Mazviita Chirimuuta discusses the philosophy of neuroscience and the complexities of understanding the mind in relation to AI.

Professor Mazviita Chirimuuta joins us for a fascinating deep dive into the philosophy of neuroscience and what it really means to understand the mind.*What can neuroscience actually tell us about how the mind works?* In this thought-provoking conversation, we explore the hidden assumptions behind computational theories of the brain, the limits of scientific abstraction, and why the question of machine consciousness might be more complicated than AI researchers assume.Mazviita, author of *The Brain Abstracted,* brings a unique perspective shaped by her background in both neuroscience research and philosophy. She challenges us to think critically about the metaphors we use to understand cognition — from the reflex theory of the late 19th century to today's dominant view of the brain as a computer.*Key topics explored:**The problem of oversimplification* — Why scientific models necessarily leave things out, and how this can sometimes lead entire fields astray. The cautionary tale of reflex theory shows how elegant explanations can blind us to biological complexity.*Is the brain really a computer?* — Mazviita unpacks the philosophical assumptions behind computational neuroscience…

People in this episode

Guest: Mazviita Chirimuuta

Topics covered

• philosophy of neuroscience
• understanding the mind
• computational theories of the brain
• machine consciousness
• scientific abstraction
• cognition

Keywords

• neuroscience
• machine consciousness
• computational neuroscience
• scientific models
• cognition
• reflex theory
• haptic realism

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: The Brain Abstracted

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