User:Andrew-King/views

My take on things

My take on things — Life, the Universe & Everything

Philosophy of science Skeptic, freethinker, fallibilist and rationalist. Strong believer in the power of reason, logic, critical thinking and the scientific method. If you don't think for yourself, who will? Philosophy of mathematics Mathematical constructivist & Mathematical finitist who (despite which) still finds infinity and infinitesimals fascinating. Philosophy of physics Physical Realist who views it as a leap of faith, not logic: if you can't deduce Reality exists, it's generally safer to just assume it – at least while crossing the road. Proponent of the Many worlds interpretation and Branching space-time interpretations of quantum mechanics; I don't like the Copenhagen interpretation, especially the "conscious observer" variant. One of those "nutters" that believes in a branching time Multiverse, and that Physics (and thus the whole of Reality) reduces to, and emerges from, Mathematics or something like it. Philosophy of technology Transhumanist and pro immortality, intelligence amplification and synthetic evolution: we're the first species in Earth's history to begin seizing control of our own longevity, intellectual capacity and evolutionary development; what's more, it started during our lifetime — now that's historic! Pro technological singularity, strong AI and Intelligence explosion. I expect genetic algorithms, artificial intelligence and intelligence amplification will significantly affect the future of science and technology, by increasing mankind's effective intelligence. Philosophy of mind Functionalist who finds the "Chinese nation" thought experiment fascinating. Strong AI believer and Philosophical zombie disbeliever. Prefer Cybernetics to the Symbolic AI school of artificial intelligence when it comes to the pursuit of seed AI and strong AI in general. Skeptical that free will can truly exist as an objective phenomenon beyond being a mere subjective perception, even in a indeterminate branching time Multiverse. Unsure whether quantum effects (potentially involving quantum chaos or quantum gravity) play a direct role in consciousness but find the concept intriguing. Chaos definitely has strong connections to complexity. Hopeful but doubtful that mind uploading will happen in my lifetime. Philosophy of religion Igtheist & Theological noncognitivist, but with Atheist & Antitheist leanings. The theist is >99.99% atheist; from the uncountable deities throughout human history, they believe theirs is the exception that proves rule. The atheist merely takes that last extra step, and in doing so gains the benefit of a consist rather than arbitrary basis of judgment. General all-round deity doubter and supernatural skeptic; except for flying spaghetti monsters of course, which are indeed unquestionably real. If "gods" really were to exist, they'd undoubtedly ride around on invisible pink unicorns. Well I would! Wouldn't you? Religions are fads: like civilizations, they rise and fall; try finding current worshipers of Atum, Zeus, Jupiter or Odin — the gods of today are just as transient. Philosophy of ethics Nihilist & Ethical noncognitivist, but with some Utilitarian and Secular Humanist sympathies.

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