Ep. 525 Gene Callahan Asks: If LLMs Are Thinking, What Are They Thinking About?

Adam Haman returns to help Bob analyze the ZeroHedge debate on the Iran war between Dave Smith and Alan Dershowitz. The famous lawyer had but one argument, and it was ridiculous at that. Dave also displayed quick-witted responses.Mentioned in the Episode and Other Links of Interest:The YouTube version of this episode.The ZH debate between Dave Smith and Alan Dershowitz.This episode’s sponsor, The Scott Horton Academy.The HamanNature substack.Help support the Bob Murphy Show.

On Twitter and YouTube, Dinesh D'Souza has been criticizing Calvinism (i.e. Reformed theology) for weeks, leveling both scriptural but also philosophical and moral objections. Bob adopts his version of Molinism to argue that God's sovereignty can be reconciled with man's free will (and hence moral culpability).Mentioned in the Episode and Other Links of Interest:Dinesh D'Souza's critique of Calvinism.RC Sproul's YouTube series introducing systematic Reformed theology.William Lane Craig quick intro to Molinism.The BMS ep. 158, A Geometric Analogy to Reconcile Paul and James.Installments one and three in the BMS series on an Interdisciplinary Commentary on the Gospels, laying out Bob's view of free will vs. determinism, and how to reconcile Arminianism with Calvinism.Help support the Bob Murphy Show.

Taking a recent Twitter exchange as a springboard, Bob argues that George Selgin has unwittingly conceded the entire argument they had at the SoHo Forum: namely, fractional reserve banking by its very essence causes a mismatch between the community's saving and the funds made available for loans via the banks.Mentioned in the Episode and Other Links of Interest:Keith Vencel's new book, A New Monetary System.The SoHo Forum debate between Selgin and Murphy.Selgin's posts on ABCT and FRB (one and two).Bob's Human Action episode on Mises and FRB.Bob's QJAE article on FRB and the business cycle.Help support the Bob Murphy Show.

Adam Haman returns to discuss the Japan/US bailout of the yen, and Japan's relation to the US position. What does it signify for QE and deficit spending?Mentioned in the Episode and Other Links of Interest:The YouTube version of this episode.This episode’s sponsor, The Swan Bros.The HamanNature substack.Help support the Bob Murphy Show.

Adam Haman helps Bob analyze Luke Gromen's recent interview, in which he argued that high inflation was the only way to end "fiscal dominance" in the US.Mentioned in the Episode and Other Links of Interest:The YouTube version of this episode.Luke Gromen interview on the "What Bitcoin Did" podcast.Bob interviews Gromen on the Human Action podcast.Bob interviews Lyn Alden on her book, Broken Money.This episode's sponsor, The Swan Bros.The HamanNature substack.Help support the Bob Murphy Show.

Adam Haman returns to help Bob analyze Nolan's latest blockbuster. Hint: the right-wingers lied to you.Mentioned in the Episode and Other Links of Interest:The YouTube version of this episode.The HamanNature substack.Help support the Bob Murphy Show.

Frequent guest Gene Callahan returns to present a talk he's been giving in academic circles, which relies on standard computer science to argue that LLMs can't possibly be thinking "about" the external world in the same way humans do. Economist and philosopher Kevin Vallier joins the discussion.Mentioned in the Episode and Other Links of Interest:The YouTube version of this episode.Gene Callahan on the ghost in the AI machine.Callahan's homepage. Vallier's homepage.Help support the Bob Murphy Show.

Adam Haman returns, this time helping Bob critique Carl Jung's "Answer to Job."Mentioned in the Episode and Other Links of Interest:The YouTube version of this episode.Carl Jung's "Answer to Job."This episode's featured company, Jackery.RC Sproul on Job.BMS ep. 420 unpacking Darryl Cooper's religious heresies.The HamanNature substack.Help support the Bob Murphy Show.

As the federal debt held by the public surpasses GDP, Adam Haman asks Bob Murphy what it means and the options going forward.Mentioned in the Episode and Other Links of Interest:The YouTube version of this episode.Bob's proposal for reforming federal finances. His proposal for letting people opt out of Social Security. His lecture on debt burdens on future generations.The HamanNature substack.Help support the Bob Murphy Show.

Jim Bovard is a Senior Fellow with the Libertarian Institute. He tells what happened to the Weaver family in 1992 when they were assaulted by federal agents.Mentioned in the Episode and Other Links of Interest:The YouTube version of this episode.Jim Bovard's page at the Libertarian Institute. A specific article on Ruby Ridge.Help support the Bob Murphy Show.