Hoffman introduces at least a third option that he is trying to prove mathematically.

Author: iairishcheeks (30350 Posts - Original UHND Member)

Posted at 9:10 pm on Aug 22, 2026

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Religions used to think we were the center of the universe. But, science hasn't eliminated a higher power, a soul or other spiritual concepts at least yet.

As Terrance McKenna describes it (paraphrased) Science asks us to grant them one miracle (the big bang) and they'll explain everything else.

I do think you'd find the Hoffman/Spira conversation interesting. Michael Pollan is another good listen on the topic, maybe with Sam Harris.

Replies to: “Hoffman introduces at least a third option that he is trying to prove mathematically.”

Can AI develope a sense of self? - Curly1918 - 11:35am 8/22/26 (18) [View All]
- Depends what you mean by "self". [LINK] - iairishcheeks - 5:17pm 8/22/26
- It's certainly not going to regulate or supervise itself. - conorlarkin - 4:28pm 8/22/26
  - You might be the least qualified person to comment on this. [NT] - iairishcheeks - 5:06pm 8/22/26
- It depends on which philosophy of language you believe, I guess. [LINK] - Eli - 2:43pm 8/22/26
  - For those of us with an inner voice (apparently not everyone, which explains some things)... - iairishcheeks - 5:25pm 8/22/26
  - Hard to have a "gut feeling.." - hipND - 3:41pm 8/22/26
- Should we be concerned? Rhetorical. Vastly more important than DJT vs.DSA…except as to their - TakethetrainKnute - 1:14pm 8/22/26
- I guess you have to ask yourself... - NedoftheHill - 1:01pm 8/22/26
  - "AI is a silicon-based life form created by carbon-based life forms" - Bret Weinstein [LINK] - iairishcheeks - 5:05pm 8/22/26
    - Mimicry just means we aren't at true AI yet. - NedoftheHill - 5:25pm 8/22/26
      - There is not a clear path from mimicry to self-awareness in my view. - iairishcheeks - 5:26pm 8/22/26
        
        Massive, pure compute power may be required but not sufficient. - NedoftheHill - 5:35pm 8/22/26
        
        A taller building is still a building. - iairishcheeks - 5:40pm 8/22/26
        
        Agreed. That is... - NedoftheHill - 6:08pm 8/22/26
        
        Donald Hoffman and Rupert Spira. [NT] [LINK] - iairishcheeks - 6:40pm 8/22/26
        
        It seems to me that there must be more to it than that. - iairishcheeks - 6:22pm 8/22/26
        
        I was speaking in a secular/scientific way. You are introducing the concept of spirituality. - NedoftheHill - 8:27pm 8/22/26
        
        Hoffman introduces at least a third option that he is trying to prove mathematically. - iairishcheeks - 9:10pm 8/22/26

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