Exploring the Brain as the Source of Human Experience

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The chapter delves into the concept that the brain is the source of human mental life, intelligence, and consciousness, challenging traditional views on the mind-body relationship. The implications of this perspective on religion, spirituality, memory, and morality are explored, shedding light on how every experience alters the brain's physical structure. The discussion also addresses the fallibility of human memory, its impact on legal proceedings, and the vulnerability of memory to manipulation and distortion.

In “Psych: The Story of the Human Mind,” Paul Bloom, a professor of psychology at the University of Toronto, lays out, in his words, “basically everything I know about the mind.” And when he says “everything,” he means it. Where does consciousness come from? Does IQ matter? What makes us happy? Was Sigmund Freud a madman? The answers to these questions (and more) are all in Paul’s book — and in this episode.

An edited version of Rufus’s interview with Paul first aired in April 2023. Today, we’re bringing you their entire conversation.

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