John Brockman, who for the past 50+ years has lived at the intersection of arts and sciences, brings together two of the world’s leading philosophers, David Chalmers and Daniel C. Dennett, to discuss themes from his new book “Possible Minds – 25 Ways of Looking at AI.” The exchange will focus on the question: “Is Superintelligence Impossible?” As scientists pull apart brain-environment and brain-microbiome mechanisms and quantify universal molecular principles, is there still room for purely philosophical deduction? Can we even understand the mind by using the mind? Join us for an event that will demur to be contentious, but certainly will be thought provoking.

John Brockman is a cultural impresario whose career has encompassed the avant-garde art world, science, books, software, and the Internet. He is the author of By The Late John Brockman and The Third Culture; editor of the Edge Annual Question book series, and Possible Minds: 25 Ways to Think About AI.

David Chalmers is University Professor of Philosophy and Neural Science and co-director of the Center for Mind, Brain, and Consciousness at New York University. He is best known for his work on consciousness, including his formulation of the “hard problem” of consciousness.

Daniel C. Dennett is University Professor and Austin B. Fletcher Professor of Philosophy and director of the Center for Cognitive Studies at Tufts University. He is the author of a dozen books, including Consciousness Explained, and, most recently, From Bacteria to Bach and Back: The Evolution of Minds.

There will be a book sale and signing

This project is supported by Science Sandbox, a Simons Foundation initiative dedicated to engaging everyone with the process of science.