Recently, I’ve been arguing (here and here, for example) that we can use artificial neural networks (ANNs) to prove that the mind is not the brain. To recap, here is the logic of my argument:
Premise A: neural networks can learn better than the brain
Premise B: the human mind can learn better than a neural network
Conclusion: the human mind can learn better than the brain, therefore it is not the brain
This means if we can conclusively show the human mind can learn better than a neural network, then the mind is not the brain.
For Premise A, I’ve argued that the differentiable neural network is a superior learning model compared to the brain neuron’s “all or nothing principle”. The neural network has a “hot” or “cold” signal that it can learn from iteratively, whereas the neuron has a binary “yes” or “no” signal that does not allow for gradual improvement, making learning impossible for brain neurons.
This brings us to Premise B, where I will show that, nonetheless, the human mind can learn better than a neural network.