How mathematical theories show us that we can never have a complete theory of physics -- or even the human mind, it seems. In this podcast we'll descend to the most fundamental level of rational enquiry and delve into mathematics to ask whether it really makes sense to think that we can capture ultimate truth in mathematical equations.



In this episode:

The strange story of Whitehead, Russel and Gödel - Principia Mathematica - Kurt Gödel - formal systems - the incompleteness theorems - why we can't create a grand unified theory of arithmetic, never mind the universe - theories of physics are like nets laid over a mountain range - Roger Penrose and Shadows of the Mind - Plato's allegory of the cave - the weather and the brain are chaotic systems - chaos theory and Penrose's crooked chain of pool balls - brains are unpredictable - consciousness is not in the gaps of physical theories - microtubules - do Gödel's theorems prove anything about the brain? - Gödel's paranoid food poisoning obsession - the curious relationship between logic and paranoia

Featured music: Length and Brecht (Remixed) - Halogen

Recommended Reading

Gödel, Escher, Bach: An Eternal Golden Braid by Douglas R. Hofstadter


Shadows of the Mind: A Search for the Missing Science of Consciousness by Roger Penrose

Can There Ever Be a Grand Unified Theory of Physics? – Quantum Mindcast Episode 4

Episode 2 of the Quantum Mindcast. In this episode we'll take a look at a couple of intriguing thought experiments that help to shed light on the nature of consciousness and physical reality; namely, Frank Jackson's "Mary's Room" and John Searle's "Chinese Room". We'll also talk about the Theory of Evolution and why it's not quite the full story.



In this episode:

Mary's Room, aka The Knowledge Arguments - Emotion and the brain are not the same - experience vs. knowledge - Quale - Who makes the grass green? - The mind vs. the brain - Searle's Chinese Room - Why do so many people dislike the Theory of Evolution - Why consciousness cannot have evolved.

Featured music: Ludwig van Beethoven - Sonata no. 14 in c sharp minor 'Moonlight', op. 27 no. 2 - i. adagio sostenuto

Mary’s Room and the Theory of Evolution – Quantum Mindcast Episode 2

Exploring quantum physics plus consciousness, meditation, the afterlife and ancient mystical teachings from the perspective of modern science.

What's about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

episodes:

Can There Ever Be a Grand Unified Theory of Physics? – Quantum Mindcast Episode 4

Mary’s Room and the Theory of Evolution – Quantum Mindcast Episode 2