From mindless mathematics to thinking meat?

TL;DR

This paper critiques the relevance of teleology, consciousness, and goal-directedness in physics and mathematics, arguing that current theories are insufficient to address these concepts meaningfully.

Contribution

It provides a philosophical analysis questioning the applicability of teleological and consciousness-related notions in physics and mathematics.

Findings

Teleology is rarely useful in physics.

Current theories lack a good mathematical or physical account of consciousness.

The essay contest theme is premature and unlikely to yield widely accepted resolutions.

Abstract

Deconstruction of the theme of the 2017 FQXi essay contest is already an interesting exercise in its own right: Teleology is rarely useful in physics --- the only known mainstream physics example (black hole event horizons) has a very mixed score-card --- so the "goals" and "aims and intentions" alluded to in the theme of the 2017 FQXi essay contest are already somewhat pushing the limits. Furthermore, "aims and intentions" certainly carries the implication of consciousness, and opens up a whole can of worms related to the mind-body problem. As for "mindless mathematical laws", that allusion is certainly in tension with at least some versions of the "mathematical universe hypothesis". Finally "wandering towards a goal" again carries the implication of consciousness, with all its attendant problems. In this essay I will argue, simply because we do not yet have any really good mathematical or physical theory of consciousness, that the theme of this essay contest is premature, and unlikely to lead to any resolution that would be widely accepted in the mathematics or physics communities.