Why materialism is baloney
by Bernardo Kastrup · first published 2014
100% recommend
Why HN recommends it
Accessible philosophical case for idealism over materialism, argued by a physicist and computer scientist; suits readers curious about consciousness and the mind-matter question who want a clear entry point.
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…term) and that is what gives us our identity while we are alive. All of modern physics would be layered on top of the underlying mind or consciousness. If these ideas interest you, I suggest reading "Why Materialism is Baloney" by physicist and computer scientist Bernardo Kastrup. All this said, I think "real AIs" are inevitable (even if far in the future) but I think they will seem very alien to us.
on “Viv Is a New Artificial Intelligence from the Inventors of Siri” ↗Bernardo Kastrup - Why Materialism Is Baloney Has a lot of impact on current AI theory. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20543665-why-materialism...
on “Ask HN: What books have made the biggest impact on your mental models?” ↗Bernardo Kastrup has written some compelling books arguing that idealism is more rational and skeptical than materialism. The best introduction is probably Why Materialism Is Baloney. A more academic version, consisting mostly of peer-reviewed papers, is The Idea of the World.
on “What If Consciousness Comes First?” ↗…driving or exercising. I find video particularly satisfying for this topic and these figures, because much of the most valuable insight emerges through discussion and debate. I’ve read Kastrup’s book “Why Materialism is Baloney” and found it very satisfying - but I was already amenable to his position; I don’t imagine it would be persuasive to an entrenched skeptic.
on “Is artificial consciousness achievable? Lessons from the human brain” ↗The Master and His Emissary by Ian McGilchrist Why Materialism is Baloney by Bernardo Kastrup The first one really opened my mind to alternate modes of thought. The first half of the book is especially interesting, the second half is skippable. I don't think I could have appreciated…
on “What's the most radical book you've read?” ↗Bernardo Kastrup's - Why Materialism Is Baloney
on “Ask HN: Mind bending books to read and never be the same as before?” ↗