The Theory of Anything Episode 75: Deutsch's Theory of Knowledge: The Walking Robot
Jan 29, 2024
Exploring Deutsch's Theory of Knowledge and the two sources hypothesis. Discussing the creation of knowledge through artificial evolution. Debating the validity of genetic programming algorithm as a source of knowledge. Exploring the difference between good and bad philosophical explanations. Questioning the relationship between non-knowledge and Deutsch's theory.
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Walking Robot Fits Knowledge Criteria
- Bruce argues the walking robot algorithm fits Deutsch's criteria for knowledge: adapted information, causal power, persistence, and convergence.
- He questions why it's excluded despite these characteristics.
Reactions to Bruce's Question
- Bruce's questioning of Deutsch's theory was met with dismissal from Deutsch fans.
- They emphasized the human programmer's role and the robot's lack of open-endedness.
Programmer vs. Algorithm
- Deutsch argues the programmer, not the algorithm, created the knowledge.
- Bruce counters with the "sneakers" analogy: an RSA crack algorithm using existing knowledge is still new knowledge.