Noam Chomsky: Why Machines Will Never Achieve Consciousness

Noam Chomsky argues against panpsychism while examining the mind-body problem and computer consciousness The conversation spans AI progress, the nature of spacetime, and deep philosophical puzzles about language and mathematics.- 00:00:00 - Introduction- 00:01:48 - What is the most important unsolved problem in cognitive science?- 00:05:07 - How have you updated your thinking on AI in the last five years?- 00:09:29 - Possibilities and approaches for brains & minds to reach human‑like intelligence in neural networks- 00:10:56 - Importance of consciousness in building systems that learn, think and create at a human level- 00:12:26 - Are you still a mysterian?- 00:15:36 - Is spacetime really doomed?- 00:16:19 - Letting go of spacetime and its effects on the mind‑body problem- 00:23:53 - Probability of AI overcoming human intelligence and establishing its own society- 00:27:20 - Prospects of sentient machines communicating with each other or us- 00:31:00 - Is Goodman's new riddle of induction historically accurate?- 00:36:30 - Intrinsic nature of matter and panpsychism- 00:42:30 - Resolution of the Liar’s Paradox or Raven Paradox?- 00:42:55 - Axioms of a language and the meaning of words- 00:48:06 - Relation between language and extended phenotype?- 00:49:38 - Obsession with the Turing test and its influence on behaviorism and consciousness- 00:51:52 - Can ill‑defined mathematical statements and physics concepts have meaning?- 00:55:24 - Linguistic evidence for universal innate mathematical notions in humans?- 00:57:01 - Vastness of the term "grammar" and its generalizationSPONSORS:- Trade Coffee: $30 off your first order at https://drinktrade.com/everythingEvery episode days early, ad-free, plus my essays: https://curtjaimungal.substack.com/subscribeRESOURCES:- YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/GxZp6890hQk- New TOE Website (early access to episodes): https://theoriesofeverything.org/- Patreon: https://patreon.com/curtjaimungal- Crypto: https://nowpayments.io/donation/TOE- PayPal: https://tinyurl.com/paypalTOE- Twitter: https://twitter.com/TOEwithCurt- Discord Invite: https://discord.com/invite/kBcnfNVwqs- iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/better-left-unsaid-with-curt-jaimungal/id1521758802- Pandora: https://pdora.co/33b9lfP- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4gL14b92xAErofYQA7bU4e- Subreddit r/TheoriesOfEverything: https://reddit.com/r/theoriesofeverything- Noam Chomsky Playlist on TOE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VX0hn6F-jsI Theories of Everything with Curt Jaimungal features long-form, technically detailed interviews with leading researchers in physics, mathematics, consciousness, and philosophy, exploring topics at the level of active research. For academics, graduate students, and anyone seeking depth beyond popular science. SPONSOR: I personally subscribe to The Economist. FLASH SALE through Sep 23, 2026: 60% off the annual subscription! No other podcast has this! https://economist.com/TOE FOLLOW: Substack | Spotify | YouTube | Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices