[malux85]

I'm a believer that we are super sophisticated molecular machines, embodied in matter.

Can you provide some material that supports your claim that AGI is metaphysically impossible - I always like hearing from people with views opposite to myself.

[stevenhuang]

I'm skeptical his claims are substantive. As with all things philosophy there are competing and supporting theories, and with this age-old question of AGI I doubt the field is as conclusive on the matter as he believes.

[benl]

I used to be a believer of the theory that we are super sophisticated machines. When I read some of the philosophy on the subject I changed my mind. I now believe there must be some immaterial component to our minds.

There’s a lot to read out there on this subject, but I found expositions of the philosophy of Aristotle and Aquinas to be the clearest and most convincing for me. Lots of different books and articles exist on them both - pick one that sounds like it suits your style of understanding.

[malux85]

> I used to be a believer of the theory that we are super sophisticated machines. When I read some of the philosophy on the subject I changed my mind.

What philosophy? Be specific

> I now believe there must be some immaterial component to our minds.

What specific points or ideas made you believe that?

> There’s a lot to read out there on this subject

So provide some examples, be as specific as possible

> but I found expositions of the philosophy of Aristotle and Aquinas to be the clearest and most convincing for me

These two wrote a lot on many subjects, can you be specific on the points that convinced you that we are not super sophisticated machines. Don't vaguely point at a couple of authors, we are talking about a very specific idea.

> Lots of different books and articles exist on them both - pick one that sounds like it suits your style of understanding.

If there's lots then cite some examples, or better yet, rather than vaguely pointing at a book, (which is only marginally more useful than vaguely pointing at an author) let's discuss the specific ideas exactly.

[benl]

I found “Aristotle for Everybody” by Mortimer J. Adler to be really great. The topic of the immateriality of the intellect is covered in the last few chapters, but the rest of it is great stuff too.