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David Wolpert on Free Will, The Limits of Science, No Free Lunch theorem, and Mathematical Universe
Episode 73
Published 4 years, 8 months ago
Description
David Wolpert (Santa Fe Institute) proves the No Free Lunch theorem and challenges the Mathematical Universe They explore how Bayesian reasoning, Zen Buddhism, and superdeterminism intersect with physics and philosophy, and critique popular views on free will.
- 00:00:00 - Introduction
- 00:05:41 - No Free Lunch theorem explained
- 00:08:42 - Limits of mathematical proof
- 00:18:38 - Limits of Bayesian reasoning
- 00:24:23 - Meaning of No Free Lunch theorems
- 00:32:15 - The Problem and NFL nihilism
- 00:40:01 - Life's temporary meaning
- 00:44:07 - Zen Buddhism and No Free Lunch
- 00:45:50 - Artist vs Mathematician
- 00:48:54 - NFL and Zen continuation
- 00:51:38 - Atheism and intellectuals
- 00:57:30 - Superdeterminism video discussion
- 00:59:23 - What free will is and is not
- 01:02:23 - Critique of Dennett and Wolfram on free will
- 01:12:46 - Science as instrumental vs metaphysical
- 01:21:12 - Map vs Territory and Mathematical Universe
- 01:35:05 - Physics supervening on free will
- 01:39:36 - Explaining the Mathematical Universe
- 01:43:09 - Preview Part 2 with Wolpert
- 01:46:06 - Philosophy of mathematics and reality
- 01:47:45 - Why science shouldn't work / cross validation
SPONSORS:
- Brilliant: 20% off at https://brilliant.org/TOE
Every episode days early, ad-free, plus my essays: https://curtjaimungal.substack.com/subscribe
RESOURCES:
- YouTube link: https://youtu.be/qj_YUxg-qtY
- Algo podcast channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9IfRw1QaTglRoX0sN11AQQ
- Algo website: https://www.algo.com/
- Merch (until end of Oct 2021): https://tinyurl.com/TOEmerch
- Patreon: https://patreon.com/curtjaimungal
- Crypto: https://nowpayments.io/donation/TOE
- PayPal: https://tinyurl.com/paypalTOE
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/TOEwithCurt
- Discord Invite: https://discord.com/invite/kBcnfNVwqs
- iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/better-left-unsaid-with-curt-jaimungal/id1521758802
- Pandora: https://pdora.co/33b9lfP
- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4gL14b92xAErofYQA7bU4e
- Subreddit r/TheoriesOfEverything: https://reddit.com/r/theoriesofeverything
- Sabine Hossenfelder's video on Superdeterminism: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ytyjgIyegDI
- Better Left Unsaid documentary: http://betterleftunsaidfilm.com
- 00:00:00 - Introduction
- 00:05:41 - No Free Lunch theorem explained
- 00:08:42 - Limits of mathematical proof
- 00:18:38 - Limits of Bayesian reasoning
- 00:24:23 - Meaning of No Free Lunch theorems
- 00:32:15 - The Problem and NFL nihilism
- 00:40:01 - Life's temporary meaning
- 00:44:07 - Zen Buddhism and No Free Lunch
- 00:45:50 - Artist vs Mathematician
- 00:48:54 - NFL and Zen continuation
- 00:51:38 - Atheism and intellectuals
- 00:57:30 - Superdeterminism video discussion
- 00:59:23 - What free will is and is not
- 01:02:23 - Critique of Dennett and Wolfram on free will
- 01:12:46 - Science as instrumental vs metaphysical
- 01:21:12 - Map vs Territory and Mathematical Universe
- 01:35:05 - Physics supervening on free will
- 01:39:36 - Explaining the Mathematical Universe
- 01:43:09 - Preview Part 2 with Wolpert
- 01:46:06 - Philosophy of mathematics and reality
- 01:47:45 - Why science shouldn't work / cross validation
SPONSORS:
- Brilliant: 20% off at https://brilliant.org/TOE
Every episode days early, ad-free, plus my essays: https://curtjaimungal.substack.com/subscribe
RESOURCES:
- YouTube link: https://youtu.be/qj_YUxg-qtY
- Algo podcast channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9IfRw1QaTglRoX0sN11AQQ
- Algo website: https://www.algo.com/
- Merch (until end of Oct 2021): https://tinyurl.com/TOEmerch
- Patreon: https://patreon.com/curtjaimungal
- Crypto: https://nowpayments.io/donation/TOE
- PayPal: https://tinyurl.com/paypalTOE
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/TOEwithCurt
- Discord Invite: https://discord.com/invite/kBcnfNVwqs
- iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/better-left-unsaid-with-curt-jaimungal/id1521758802
- Pandora: https://pdora.co/33b9lfP
- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4gL14b92xAErofYQA7bU4e
- Subreddit r/TheoriesOfEverything: https://reddit.com/r/theoriesofeverything
- Sabine Hossenfelder's video on Superdeterminism: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ytyjgIyegDI
- Better Left Unsaid documentary: http://betterleftunsaidfilm.com
Theories of Everything with Curt Jaimungal features long-form, technically detailed interviews with leading researchers in physics, mathematics, consciousness, and philosophy, exploring topics at the level of active research. For academics, graduate students, and anyone seeking depth beyond popular science.
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