Showing papers by "Roger Penrose published in 1997"

The Large, the Small and the Human Mind

Abstract: From the Publisher: Roger Penrose's views on the large-scale physics of the universe, the small-scale world of quantum physics and the physics of the mind are controversial and widely discussed. The Large, the Small and the Human Mind is a fascinating and accessible summary of Roger Penrose's current thinking on those areas of physics in which he feels there are major unresolved problems. It is also a stimulating introduction to the radically new concepts which he believes will be fruitful in understanding the workings of the brain and the nature of the human mind.

On understanding understanding

Abstract: It is argued, by use of specific examples, that mathematical understanding is something which cannot be modelled in terms of entirely computational procedures. Our conception of a natural number (a non‐negative integer: 0, 1, 2, 3,…) is something which goes beyond any formulation in terms of computational rules. Our ability to perceive the properties of natural numbers depends upon our awareness, and represents just one of the many ways in which awareness provides an essential ingredient to our ability to understand. There is no bar to the quality of understanding being the result of natural selection, but only so long as the physical laws contain a non‐computational ingredient.