Brian Krouse

Brian Krouse is a software engineer with research interests in the philosophy of mind, computer science, and neuroscience. Krouse has a bachelor’s degree in physics from Whitman College, a master’s in computer science with a focus on artificial intelligence from Arizona State University, and a master’s in applied mathematics with a focus on computational neuroscience from the University of Washington. He was an early employee at GoDaddy (from 1997 through 2013), the domain name registration and hosting company, and spent most of his employ there in software development and management positions, culminating in Vice President of Hosting Development.

Archives

Beyond the Physical: Embracing an Idealistic Worldview

Robert J. Marks, Douglas Axe and Brian Krouse
February 8, 2024
In this episode of the Mind Matters Podcast, Hosts Robert J. Marks and Brian Krouse conclude their discussion with Dr. Doug Axe about idealism. They explore the question of where the mind exists in an idealistic worldview and how it differs from physicalism and substance dualism. They also discuss the implications of idealism for various scientific fields, such as neuroscience and quantum mechanics. The conversation touches on near-death experiences and the challenges they pose to physicalism. Dr. Axe summarizes his chapter on idealism in the book Minding the Brain and emphasizes the need for further dialogue and exploration of this worldview.  Additional Resources Minding the Brain: Models of the Mind, Information, and Empirical Science Undeniable by Doug Axe Dr. Axe …

Unpacking Idealism: Animals and Consciousness

Robert J. Marks, Brian Krouse and Douglas Axe
January 18, 2024
In this episode, co-hosts Robert J. Marks and Brian R. Krouse continue to discuss the concept of idealism with guest Dr. Doug Axe. The topic this time is idealism and its implications for animals and quantum mechanics. Idealism suggests that reality consists of thinkers and their thoughts, with physical objects perhaps being the thoughts of God. When it comes to animals, Dr. Axe argues that their behavior indicates a conscious experience, similar to humans. He also delves into the strange world of quantum mechanics, where particles like electrons exhibit both wave-like and particle-like behavior. This leads to the idea that the physical world is not the base reality. The conversation highlights the mind-bending nature of quantum mechanics and its potential alignment with the concept …

Unpacking Idealism: Animals and Consciousness

Douglas Axe, Robert J. Marks II and Brian Krouse
January 18, 2024
In this episode, co-hosts Robert J. Marks and Brian R. Krouse continue to discuss the concept of idealism with guest Dr. Doug Axe. The topic this time is idealism and its implications for animals and quantum mechanics. Idealism suggests that reality consists of thinkers and their thoughts, with physical objects perhaps being the thoughts of God. When it comes to animals, Dr. Axe argues that their behavior indicates a conscious experience, similar to humans. He also delves into the strange world of quantum mechanics, where particles like electrons exhibit both wave-like and particle-like behavior. This leads to the idea that the physical world is not the base reality. The conversation highlights the mind-bending nature of quantum mechanics and its potential alignment with the concept …

A Commonsense Defense of Idealism

Robert J. Marks and Brian Krouse
January 11, 2024
In this episode, co-hosts Robert J. Marks and Brian R. Krouse discuss the concept of idealism with guest Dr. Doug Axe. Idealism is the belief that reality exists exclusively in the minds and ideas of individuals. Dr. Axe explains that idealism suggests that the physical world is a product of divine thoughts, and that everything that exists is made up of thinkers and their thoughts. The hosts also discuss the problems with physicalism, which asserts that everything can be explained by the laws of physics, and dualism, which posits that there are two distinct ontological categories of existence. Dr. Axe argues that idealism provides a more coherent explanation for the relationship between the physical and non-physical aspects of reality. This is Part 1 of a four-part …

Minding the Brain: Why Science and Philosophy Need Each Other

Robert J. Marks and Brian Krouse
October 5, 2023
Does science have to stay within a materialistic framework? It turns out, materialism itself isn’t science — it’s philosophy.  In this episode, Pat Flynn interviews Brian Krouse, Angus Menuge, and Robert J. Marks about alternatives to materialism and how scientific exploration leads us to deeper questions that science alone can never answer. Additional Resources Minding the Brain: Models of the Mind, Information, and Empirical Science Ranked #1 on Amazon.com in New Releases in Cognitive Psychology Robert J. Marks at Discovery.org Brian Krouse at Discovery.org Angus J. L. Menuge at Discovery.org Podcast …

Minding the Brain: Discussing the Groundbreaking New Book on the Mind-Brain Problem

Robert J. Marks and Brian Krouse
September 28, 2023
Is the mind more than the brain? If so, what’s the difference? In today’s episode, Pat Flynn interviews the editors of the brand-new book Minding the Brain: Models of the Mind, Information, and Empirical Science. Together, they discuss different perspectives on the mind-brain problem, consciousness, and the limits of materialism. Additional Resources Minding the Brain: Models of the Mind, Information, and Empirical Science Ranked #1 on Amazon.com in New Releases in Cognitive Psychology Robert J. Marks at Discovery.org Brian Krouse at Discovery.org Angus J. L. Menuge at Discovery.org Podcast …

Minding the Brain: Discussing the Groundbreaking New Book on the Mind-Brain Problem

Robert J. Marks II, Angus J. L. Menuge and Brian Krouse
September 28, 2023
Is the mind more than the brain? If so, what’s the difference? In today’s episode, Pat Flynn interviews the editors of the brand-new book Minding the Brain: Models of the Mind, Information, and Empirical Science. Together, they discuss different perspectives on the mind-brain problem, consciousness, and the limits of materialism. Additional Resources Minding the Brain: Models of the Mind, Information, and Empirical Science Ranked #1 on Amazon.com in New Releases in Cognitive Psychology Robert J. Marks at Discovery.org Brian Krouse at Discovery.org Angus J. L. Menuge at Discovery.org Podcast …

Minding the Brain — An Introduction

Angus Menuge, Brian Krouse and Robert J. Marks II
September 24, 2023
In our modern age, full of science and technology, physical existence often appears to be the most substantial and “real” aspect of the world.

Minding the Brain

Models of the Mind, Information, and Empirical Science
Angus J. Menuge, Brian R. Krouse, and Robert J. Marks
September 19, 2023
Is your mind the same thing as your brain, or are there aspects of mind beyond the brain’s biology? This is the mind-body problem, and it has captivated curious minds since the dawn of human contemplation. Today many insist that the mind is completely reducible to the brain. But is that claim justified? In this stimulating anthology, twenty-five philosophers and scientists offer fresh insights into the mind-brain debate, drawing on psychology, neurology, philosophy, computer science, and neurosurgery. Their provocative conclusion? The mind is indeed more than the brain. Online Content Introduction and Table of Contents Chapter 11—In What Sense Is Consciousness a Property? Chapter 20—Consciousness and Quantum Information Chapter 24—Can Consciousness Be Explained By Integrated …