The Theory of Anything
Bruce Nielson and Peter JohansenA podcast that explores the unseen and surprising connections between nearly everything, with special emphasis on intelligence and the search for Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) through the lens of Karl Popper's Theory of Knowledge. David Deutsch argued that Quantum Mechanics, Darwinian Evolution, Karl Popper's Theory of Knowledge, and Computational Theory (aka "The Four Strands") represent ... more
| Publishes | Twice monthly | Episodes | 148 | Founded | 7 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | PhilosophySociety & Culture | |||
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Latest Episodes
This week Bruce asks more hard questions: Is our legal system “decisionalist”? In other words, are we outcome-based rather than reasoning-based creatures? Is there something deep in our brains they tells us to go with what feels correct, even if we a... more
What Bruce has called the “put up or shut up principle” is the idea we should want our theories to take on the burden of explanation as must as we can. We need to "put up" an at least equally content filled theory as a competitor to another content f... more
This week Bruce takes a deep dive into Pascal’s Wager. If there is even a small chance that God exists, and believing could lead to an infinite reward while disbelief risks an infinite loss, then believing is the rational choice... right?
Blaise Pas... more
This week we talk about meaning memes, words, concepts, and conceptual leakage. How is a meaning meme turned into a broader concept and then a theory? What is the role of language in this process?
And what is conceptual leakage? And why does it make... more
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Reviews
- Amazing series
Very glad to have come across this series.
Apple Podcasts5Di$-appointed user
India9 months ago - Intense
Really substantial stuff here. Cuz i am serious about popper and deutsch and this podcast is perfect for me.
You guys def deserve more (positive) reviews! Where are the reviews?!! :)
May 4, 2025
Really enjoyed the episode. Just a quick thought on the point about Bayesian epistemology vs. Bayesian reasoning. The key difference, I think, is that Bayesian reasoning offers a useful *description* of how agents might update beliefs. That’s fine on its own. But Bayesian epistemology goes further—it ... more
Apple Podcasts5wiggy woggy
Canadaa year ago - Intense
Really substantial stuff here. Cuz i am serious about popper and deutsch and this podcast is perfect for me.
You guys def deserve more (positive) reviews! Where are the reviews?!! :)
Apple Podcasts5wiggy woggyCanada2 years ago - Intense
Really substantial stuff here. Cuz i am serious about popper and deutsch and this podcast is perfect for me.
Apple Podcasts5wiggy woggyCanada2 years ago - Popper in-depth
Gets into the weeds on Popper in a wonderful way. Highly recommended.
Apple Podcasts5Al Pittampalli
United States3 years ago
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Apple Podcasts | #142 |  United Kingdom/Society & Culture/Philosophy |
Apple Podcasts | #91 |  Italy/Society & Culture/Philosophy |
Apple Podcasts | #18 |  Singapore/Society & Culture/Philosophy |
Apple Podcasts | #79 |  Chile/Society & Culture/Philosophy |
Apple Podcasts | #93 | India/Society & Culture/Philosophy |
Apple Podcasts | #101 |  Mexico/Society & Culture/Philosophy |
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Frequently Asked Questions About The Theory of Anything
What is The Theory of Anything about and what kind of topics does it cover?
A thought-heavy show exploring epistemology, science, and the theory of knowledge through the lens of Popper, Deutsch, and related thinkers. Episodes thread together topics like AGI feasibility, the nature of probability, the status of theories versus concepts, and the critique of immunizing stratagems, often with lively debates between Bruce Nielsen and Peter across dense philosophical ground. Noteworthy is the show's willingness to tackle controversial ideas, present technical debates in accessible dialogue, and weave in historical and contemporary examples to test theories about knowledge, science, and intelligence. This combination of rigorous reasoning, guest-led discussion, and a broad appetite for cross-disciplinary connections is li... more
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Which podcasts are similar to The Theory of Anything?
These podcasts share a similar audience with The Theory of Anything:
1. Increments
2. Conjecture Institute
3. EconTalk
4. The Michael Shermer Show
5. Theories of Everything with Curt Jaimungal
How many episodes of The Theory of Anything are there?
The Theory of Anything launched 7 years ago and published 148 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.
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What guests have appeared on The Theory of Anything?
Recent guests on The Theory of Anything include:
1. Sam Kuypers
2. Ray Scott Percival
3. Michael Golding
4. Logan Chipkin
5. Micah Redding
6. Jonathan Rauch
7. Ivan Phillips
8. Sadia Naeem
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