1         Synopsis

Reza Negarestani’s ”Intelligence and Spirit” stands as a monumental exploration into the intersections of philosophy, mathematics, logic, and computer science. The work is a dense tapestry that intricately weaves together various disciplines to present a comprehensive understanding of intelligence, both in its human and artificial manifestations.

Negarestani draws from category theory, a branch of mathematics that delves into abstract structures and relationships. He employs this to frame his philosophical arguments, particularly when discussing the structure and function of intelligence. Chu spaces, a concept derived from category theory, are adeptly used to express Kant’s picture of the mind, allowing for a nuanced interaction between sensing and thinking, empirical computation, and logical computation. Diving deeper, the book’s exploration of type theory is not a mere academic exercise. It serves as a foundational pillar, emphasizing the constructivist nature of knowledge and suggesting that intelligence is inherently about constructing knowledge. This ties seamlessly with proof theory and the Curry-Howard correspondence, further blurring the lines between computation and philosophy.

Negarestani posits that programming, in essence, is a philosophical endeavor.

One of the standout features of the book is how Negarestani incorporates the cobordism of Ren´e Thom. Cobordism, an equivalence relation between man- ifolds, is used to illustrate the interconnectedness of ideas and the continuous transformation of knowledge structures. This mathematical concept serves as a metaphor for the fluidity and transformation inherent in the process of thought. Furthermore, the book hints at the use of functors, drawing inspiration from William Lawvere’s interpretation of Hegel. This offers a dynamic and fluid understanding of identity and consciousness, suggesting that the self can be viewed as a mathematical structure that evolves in relation to other structures.

Linear logic and ludics are also explored, emphasizing the non-static nature of reasoning and the playful (ludic) nature of thought processes. Negarestani introduces Girard’s ludics as a paradigm that reflects the logic of dialogue, bridging syntax with semantics.

On the computational front, the concept of learning machines is delved into, with Negarestani critically examining the idea of a universal learning machine and its implications for artificial general intelligence.

The philosophical underpinnings of the book are further enriched by Hegel’s characterization of Geist or Spirit. Hegel’s conception of the community of rational agents as a social model of mind is central to Negarestani’s thesis. This intertwining of semantic structure and deprivatized sociality enables the mind to posit itself as an irreducible ’unifying point or configuring factor’.

In essence, ”Intelligence and Spirit” is not just a book; it’s a profound ex-ploration of the nature of intelligence. Negarestani masterfully blends concepts from mathematics, logic, computer science, and philosophy to challenge traditional notions and push the boundaries of interdisciplinary research. The work stands as a testament to the deep connections between computationalism and transcendentalism, offering insights that are both groundbreaking and thought- provoking.

2         Type Theory and Ludics

Reza Negarestani’s ”Intelligence and Spirit” delves into various philosophical and theoretical concepts, including type theory and ludics. Here’s a summary of his use of these concepts:

Type Theory:

1. Context of Mathematical Structures: Negarestani touches upon the gener- ality of category theory and its suitability for studying mathematical structures. He emphasizes the importance of context in appraising and applying mathemat- ical models, suggesting that without proper context, the application of a model can be arbitrary and distortive [Pages: 180,181].
   1. Types and Functions: He discusses types in a mathematical context, sug- gesting that types can be understood as functions that compute specific terms. He introduces concepts like type constructors, term or object constructors, and type destructors, which are essential for understanding the introduction and elimination of types [Pages: 428,429].
   1. Universe Types: Negarestani delves into the concept of universe types, suggesting that they help differentiate the data under consideration. He aligns this with Plato’s thesis that thinking determines differences and emphasizes the importance of carving at the joints of things [Pages: 430].
   1. Philosophical Discourse: He touches upon the operators of philosophical discourse as encompassing types of modes of cognition. He approximates them to universe types and considers the investigation of thought as the type of types (Type0) [Pages: 443].

Ludics:

1. Introduction to Ludics: Negarestani introduces ludics as a pre- or proto- logical framework for analyzing logical and computational phenomena at an elementary level. He emphasizes the continuity between syntax and semantics achieved through an interactive stance toward syntax [Pages: 376,377].

• Interactive Logic: He presents ludics as the logic of dialogue, emphasizing its interactive nature. In ludics, speech acts evolve naturally through interac- tion, with semantics unfolding through the dynamic impact of syntax [Pages: 382,383].
• Speech Acts in Ludics: Negarestani, referencing Tron¸con and Fleury, de- fines speech in ludics in terms of three elements: the speech acting competence, the test (an interactive situation), and the impact (the effect of the interaction). He suggests that speech acts in ludics are essentially the normal form resulting from the normalization of two interacting designs [Pages: 383, 384].
• Pragmatic Dimension of Language: He highlights that ludics brings to the foreground the logico-computational phenomena implicit in the pragmatic dimension of language. He contrasts this with other theories, suggesting that for ludics, the generation of rules and the capacity to reason are inconceivable without interaction [Pages: 385,387].

In essence, Negarestani’s exploration of type theory and ludics offers a deep dive into the intricate relationship between syntax, semantics, and interaction in the context of intelligence and spirit.

3         Carnap, Sellars and Brandom

Carnap’s Vision of Language: Carnap’s perspective on language is pre- sented as a logical-syntactic view, which is not anti-semantic but rather sees semantics as ”semantic in disguise.” He emphasizes the importance of disenthralling language from established semantic rules or representational concerns. This approach is not about forgetting semantics but adopting an unprejudiced way of understanding it [Pages: 346, 347].

Carnap and Induction: Carnap’s thesis on the possibility of constructing an inductive learning machine is highlighted. He explores the idea of induction as the degree of confirmation. While Carnap defends the inductivist perspec- tive, Negarestani suggests that this approach faces challenges, especially when considering predictive induction. However, Carnap’s sophisticated and nuanced stance on this issue is recognized and defended against criticisms from philoso- phers like Putnam [Pages: 534, 535].

Carnap’s Conceptual Engineering: The ascent from ordinary language to an engineered one in Carnap’s view does not suggest the replacement of the former by the latter. Instead, it emphasizes the evolution of language and the importance of rational scientific Enlightenment [Pages: 406].

Sellars, Carnap, and the Logical Space of Reasons: Andre W. Carus discusses the connection between Sellars and Carnap, particularly in the context of the logical space of reasons. This suggests a shared philosophical space where both philosophers’ ideas intersect [Pages: 565, 566].

Brandom’s Engagement with Carnap: Brandom’s approach to lan- guage and semantics is contrasted with Carnap’s logical-syntactic view. While Carnap focuses on the structural aspects of language, Brandom emphasizes the rule-governed framework and the interaction of its users. Negarestani suggests a continuity between the two philosophers’ perspectives, with Brandom building upon and extending some of Carnap’s ideas [Pages: 345].

Sellars and Cosmopolitics: Sellars, following Plato, introduces the idea of cosmopolitics or cosmological politics. This new paradigm for the politics of the Left emphasizes not just intersubjectivity but also a renewed link between the subject and an impersonal objective reality [Page 512-513].

Sellars and the Craft of Philosophical Living: Sellars, in his engagement with Plato, identifies action-principles and practices of craft as belonging to phusis (nature and objective ends), contrasting it with nomos (law and convention or social norm). In Plato’s account of craftsmanship, purposive actions are neither conventional nor purely based on rational norms but are influenced by both [Page 468].

Brandom’s Inferentialist Pragmatism: Brandom’s approach to language views it not merely as a symbolic medium but as a rule-governed frame- work intertwined with the interaction of its users. This interaction integrates all necessary capacities of agents. Brandom’s pragmatism can begin with a minimal set of rules, and more rules can be established as interlocutors interact [Page 353].

Brandom and Expressive Rationalism: Brandom emphasizes the importance of understanding how we can adequately describe and explain our- selves and the world. This understanding can lead to consequential changes in the world, blurring the boundaries between cognitive engineering of autonomous agents and the construction of advanced sociotechnical systems [Page 475].

Brandom on Sapience and Sentience: Brandom introduces the duality of sapience (wisdom or intelligence) and sentience (the capacity to feel or per- ceive). This distinction is crucial for understanding the nature of intelligence and its realization [Page 65].

4         Dependent Type Theory

In Reza Negarestani’s ”Intelligence and Spirit,” dependent type theory is sit- uated in the context of understanding the expressivity and structure of types, particularly in relation to cognition and the nature of intelligence. Here’s a summary of how dependent type theory is presented in the book:

1. Dependent Types and Expressivity: Dependent types are introduced as crucial for increasing the expressivity of types. A dependent type is described as a function of elements of some other type. For instance, the dependent type D(y), representing the days of the year, is a function of the element y of the type Y of years. This is because not all years have the same number of days. In other words, D is a type in the context Y or, alternatively, for each y in Y there is a type D(y). Another example provided is the dependent type P : Practice → Type, which is the property of practical claims. P (c) can be seen as the proof or program that claim c has property P , and not some other property [Pages: 429,430].
2. 1. Universes and Types of Types: The concept of universe types or

the hierarchy of types of types (e.g., Type₀ : Type₁, Type₁ : Type₂, . . .) is introduced. These are types whose terms or objects are types. Universes are generally introduced to avoid paradoxes, such as Russell’s paradox. The hierarchy of types of types can be relaxed so that judgments and constructions can be parameterized over all universes rather than specific universe levels [Pages: 430].

• Relation to Homotopy Type Theory: The parameterization over universes or levels of types of types, especially in the context of homotopy type theory, is referred to as universe polymorphism. A universe is polymorphic when a proof, definition, etc., is universally quantified over one or many universes. This universal quantification creates a type ambiguity, which should also permit explicit quantification over specific levels or universes when necessary [Pages: 430,431].
  • Types as Forms of Judgement: Types are understood as forms of judgment or Kantian categories. In this framework, a proposition A prop is a problem whose solution is given by a proof, and A true represents the existence of such a proof [Pages: 428].
  • Interactive Schema of Meaning-as-Proof : In the universe of au- tomata, the interactive schema of meaning-as-proof can be thought of as a toy meaning-dispensing machine. The machine consists of two agents interacting over a language C. Inside this interactive machine, there are algorithms that obtain proof either through normalization or search [Pages: 372,373].

Overall, Negarestani situates dependent type theory within a broader philosophical exploration of cognition, intelligence, and the nature of thought. The theory serves as a tool to understand the expressivity and structure of types, especially in the context of interactive systems and the nature of proofs.