Metaphysics and modern AI: What is reality?

Metaphysics and modern AI: What is reality?

From The AI Fundamentalists by Dr. Andrew Clark & Dr. Sid Mangalik

October 27, 2025 · 39 min · Season 1 · Episode 37

About this episode

The episode explores the nature of reality and objects through the lens of metaphysics and AI, featuring a discussion with Michael Herman.

In the first episode of our series on metaphysics, Michael Herman joins us from Episode #14 on “What is consciousness?” to discuss reality. More specifically, the question of objects in reality. The team explores Plato’s forms, Aristotle’s realism, emergence, and embodiment to determine whether AI models can approximate from what humans uniquely experience. Defining objects via properties, perception, and persistenceBanana and circle examples for identity and idealsPlato versus Aristo...

People in this episode

Hosts: Dr. Andrew Clark, Dr. Sid Mangalik

Guest: Michael Herman

Topics covered

  • metaphysics
  • AI and reality
  • philosophy
  • consciousness
  • identity
  • perception

Keywords

  • metaphysics
  • AI
  • reality
  • consciousness
  • Plato
  • Aristotle
  • identity
  • perception

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: What is consciousness?, Plato’s forms, Aristotle’s realism

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