AI, Magical Thinking and the Machine Metaphor
My conversation about the urgent relevance of philosophy with philosopher Matt Segall
What’s dangerous about materialism is that it makes itself true. In other words, people who think of themselves as brain computers running algorithms really do then begin to operate in that way. . . . Whatever we think of as the soul or consciousness, it’s not a substance that’s just ready-made and given — we’re actually involved in a process of soul making, moment by moment, day by day. And the sorts of ideas that we consider true and that motivate us change the very structure of our soul, of our inner life and our consciousness. If you think materialistic thoughts, you really do become kind of lodged in this deterministic mode of thought and consciousness. You become more mechanistic. And so it’s a real participatory vision. It’s like, how we think about ourselves actually is transforming what we are.
That’s a quote from my recent interview with Matt Segall, a philosopher who’s doing groundbreaking work at the intersection of science, spirituality, and consciousness. Matt is an associate professor at the California Institute of Integral Studies (where I got my MA in philosophy, cosmology, and consciousness last year), and he’s been instrumental in developing a way of thinking that challenges our traditional mechanistic view of the world.
In this conversation we dive deep into process philosophy, explore the challenges of our current technological moment, and discuss how we might reimagine our understanding of consciousness, AI, and our place in the universe. We also address the role of philosophy in contemporary culture, emphasizing the need for discernment amidst ideological ferment. We critique transhumanist Silicon Valley ideologies like transhumanism and techno-Christianity, highlighting their left-hemisphere bias and magical thinking. We also discusses the implications of AI, arguing that while it’s a valuable tool, the real danger lies in the extractive, capitalist machine driving its development.
Matt brings a unique perspective that bridges academic rigor with a profound sense of wonder about the nature of reality. He is always a joy to talk to!
If you’re someone who’s curious about how we might think differently about technology, consciousness, and our evolving world, you’re going to love this conversation.
Click here to listen to the audio version on your favorite podcast app (which has some bonus content about the meaning of panentheism and panpsychism—you know, a deep cut for all you philosophy nerds).