‘Are Brains Computers? And Could That Give Us Mindreading?’
Date:
Delivered as a comprehensive lecture for the philosophy faculty at the National University of Mongolia, this presentation critically examines the Computational Theory of Mind (CTM) and its philosophical implications for modern neurotechnology. By analyzing the current state of neural decoding, Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCIs), and second-generation “lie detectors”, the talk separates genuine scientific progress from science-fiction media hype. Ultimately, it argues that while limited forms of neural readout have been achieved, true mindreading remains constrained by deep conceptual and empirical hurdles. This underscores why philosophers of mind still have a crucial, ongoing role in interpreting neuroscientific data and rigorously defining cognitive concepts.
*Slides available in two languages: