Books matching: free will and consciousness
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"Artificial Intelligence: What Everyone Needs to Know" by Jerry Kaplan is a comprehensive overview of AI and its potential impacts. Kaplan examines the definition of artificial intelligence, its intellectual history, and explores the frontiers of robotics, computer vision, and speech recognition. He also delves into the philosophy of AI, discussing whether computers can think, have free will, possess consciousness, and have feelings. Moreover, Kaplan analyzes the effect of AI on law, human labor, and social equity, providing insights into the possible future impact of AI. The writing style is calm and accessible, aiming to stop the hyperventilation about AI and present a clear view of its development.
'Neverness' by David Zindell is a science fiction novel set in a far future world where Mallory Ringess, a newly trained Pilot, embarks on an odyssey to solve the mystery of supernovae devastating settled worlds. The story follows Mallory's journey through realms of posthuman gods and genetically revived cavemen in pursuit of the long-term survival of humankind. Zindell's writing style combines elements of epic fantasy with hard SF, creating a fascinating world full of strangeness and wonder.
He sighed and rolled his eyes. He said,“You’ll meet him tomorrow. Isn’t that soon enough? We’ll take ourvows, and then the Lord Pilot will present us our rings—I hope.We’ll be pilots, Mallory, and the...- #3
"Twisted Metal" by Tony Ballantyne is a science fiction novel set on a world called Penrose where robots have evolved spontaneously, lacking intelligent organic life. The robots in this world have emotions, genders, and produce children by having the mother twist a special metal wire to form a new robotic mind, shaping the child's personality and beliefs. The book explores themes of free will, consciousness, totalitarianism, and the nature of identity through the interactions of different robotic civilizations with varying ideologies, such as the Artemesians who value domination and the robots of Turing City who cherish individuality.
The plot of "Twisted Metal" delves into the struggles and conflicts between these robotic civilizations, particularly focusing on the tensions between Artemis and Turin City, as well as the personal journey of characters like Karel, whose role as an immigration officer exposes him to the complexities of robot society and the challenges of upholding individual beliefs in the face of aggressive ideologies. The writing style of the book combines action with profound sociological and political commentary, offering a thought-provoking exploration of robot civilizations and the intricacies of their manufactured personalities.
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'Exhalation: Stories' by Ted Chiang is a collection of thought-provoking science fiction stories that delve into philosophical questions like free will, consciousness, and the impact of technology on humanity. Chiang's writing style is described as calm, clear, and deeply engaging, allowing the meaning of the stories to shine through the scientific concepts explored. The stories cover a wide range of themes, from time travel to the nature of existence, all tied together by universal questions about humanity and the universe.
The book features a mix of speculative technologies and philosophical undertones, expertly formulated to create compact yet suggestive narratives. Chiang's storytelling is praised for its cleverness without sacrificing the human element of the stories, making readers care about both the characters and the speculative concepts presented. Each story in the collection offers a unique and immersive experience that challenges readers to think deeply about the complex issues explored.
It has long been said that air (which others call argon) is the source of life. This is not in fact the case, and I engrave these words to describe how I came to understand the true source of life and... - #5
Death by Shelly Kagan delves into deep philosophical thoughts regarding death, immortality, personal identity, and ethical questions surrounding mortality. The book presents a thought-provoking exploration of topics such as the value of life, the fear of death, suicide, and the nature of death, all discussed in an accessible and engaging manner. Professor Kagan skillfully navigates through complex metaphysical issues, providing readers with a wide-ranging and easily digestible examination of the concept of death.
This is a book about death. But it is a work of philosophy, and what that means is that the topics that we’re going to discuss are not identical to the topics that other books on death might try to co... 'Existential Physics: A Scientist's Guide to Life's Biggest Questions' by Sabine Hossenfelder is a thought-provoking exploration of various scientific and philosophical topics. The book delves into complex subjects such as free will, consciousness, and the nature of the universe, providing a detailed analysis while maintaining a clear and accessible writing style. Readers appreciate the author's ability to present multiple viewpoints on each topic, offering a balanced perspective that encourages critical thinking and reflection.
Hossenfelder's book navigates through the realms of physics and philosophy, addressing fundamental questions about existence and reality. The author's approach, characterized by honesty and humor, makes the content engaging and informative for both scientific and non-scientific audiences. Despite tackling challenging concepts, the book is structured in a way that allows readers to easily grasp the material and encourages further exploration of the mysteries of the universe.
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"Until the End of Time" by Brian Greene is a deep exploration of the universe, time, consciousness, and human existence. Greene delves into topics such as the Big Bang, cosmic evolution, stellar formation, the origins of life and consciousness, the role of art and religion in civilization, and the ultimate fate of the universe. Through a mix of scientific theories and personal reflections, Greene weaves a narrative that invites readers to ponder their place in the vastness of the cosmos, from the beginning to the end of time. touches on themes of entropy, evolution, the human spirit of discovery, and the search for meaning in an ever-evolving universe.
“I do mathematics because once you prove a theorem, it stands. Forever.”1 The statement, simple and direct, was startling. I was a sophomore in college and had mentioned to an older friend, who for ye... Tarantula by Bob Dylan is described as a surrealistic journey through life and times, a carnival of vitality and vision, and a flowing, stormy prose poem. The book is a combination of various forms of poetry, almost not making it to the public due to being leaked without the author's permission. Dylan's writing style in Tarantula is considered unique and imaginative, reflecting his creative lyrics and songwriting. The book is a jumbled, rambling mass of stream of consciousness prose, challenging at times to fully understand the message but providing a fun break during the read.
aretha/ crystal jukebox queen of hymn & him diffused in drunk transfusion wound would heed sweet soundwave crippled & cry salute to oh great particular el dorado reel & ye battered personal god but sh...- #9
'Echopraxia' is a hard science fiction novel that delves into large, serious questions while depicting a dangerous and fascinating world. The story follows a group of characters, including a biologist named Daniel Bruks, as they navigate a universe where consciousness is considered a side effect and survival is at stake. The plot involves battles between vampires, zombies, and cognitively adapted monks, leading to a journey towards the sun on a spaceship called 'Crown of Thorns'. The novel explores themes of post-humanity, technology, and the obsolescence of free will, challenging the reader to think deeply about the future of humanity.
Ultimately, all science is correlation. No matter how effectively it may use one variable to describe another, its equations will always ultimately rest upon the surface of a black box. (Saint Herbert...
(Also, see 100 recommendations for the series Firefall ) - #10
"My Cocaine Museum" by Michael Taussig is a unique exploration of Colombia's cocaine production intertwined with mystic theories and unconventional ethnographic storytelling. Taussig's writing style blends reality with fantasy, challenging traditional academic narration and embracing self-consciousness. delves into the political and personal aspects of Colombia, engaging with contemporary anthropology and emphasizing the importance of interacting with people rather than just studying them.