The Origins of Consciousness

In this episode, Wendy speaks with cognitive scientist Anil Seth about his work on consciousness and the mind. They discuss:

• the idea of the brain as a prediction machine;
• how perception is a kind of "controlled" hallucination;
• the self as a construction and implications for psychiatric disorders;
• connections between this view of the mind and Buddhist ideas;
• how these views might inform our subjective experience;
• the important role of the body in perception;
• the connection between life and mind (and Anil's views on panpsychism);
• emotions as prediction and interoception;
• the question of free will;
• communicating science to a public audience, and other topics.

Full show notes and resources