When I First Read Deutsch, I Didn’t Quite Get It

The speakers discuss David Deutsch's work on epistemology, suggesting that while his writings are essential for understanding the philosophy of knowledge, some readers might benefit from first exploring historical counter-arguments and existing theories like justified true belief or inductive knowledge. One speaker recounts their initial difficulty grasping Deutsch's depth, contrasting his work with other physicists and noting that Deutsch's theories form a coherent world philosophy. They also compare Deutsch to Karl Popper, finding Deutsch more accessible, possibly because he writes to elucidate his own thoughts rather than for a specific academic audience. The discussion highlights that the initial and final chapters of Deutsch's "The Beginning of Infinity" are the most accessible, with the middle chapters delving into complex scientific concepts like quantum computation and the multiverse, which are integral to his interconnected theories. The speaker emphasizes how Deutsch's development of quantum computation stemmed from his efforts to falsify his multiverse theory, illustrating the deep interconnections within his work.