New Books in Neuroscience · New Books Network
Paul Thagard, "Bots and Beasts: What Makes Machines, Animals, and People Smart?" (MIT Press, 2021)
August 9, 2025·1 hr·5 clips
Paul Thagard explains why machines can't grasp causality like humans do, despite their advanced problem-solving skills.
As heard by us
A clear look at intelligence that treats creativity as a human need, not just a technical feature.
The discussion of intelligence works best when it moves away from abstract praise and toward the human needs beneath it. It makes a clear case that machines may be creative, but they do not bring the same drive people have to make ideas that are new, useful, and worth acting on.
Why you'd press play
Press play if you want a calm, serious conversation about why human creativity seems tied to our needs and drives.
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