Bergson's Harmonic Theory of Consciousness - Dr. Jack Bagby, DemystifySci #327

19 snips

Mar 13, 2025

Dr. Jack Bagby, a philosophy and consciousness expert, dives into Henri Bergson's revolutionary ideas. He discusses how context shapes our understanding of music and reality, illustrating this with unconventional musical instruments and tuning methods. The conversation touches on the deep connections between creativity, consciousness, and human experience, emphasizing the limitations of scientific measurements in grasping sensations. Additionally, Bagby critiques artificial intelligence and explores resonance theory, revealing the profound impact of music on perception and emotional experiences.

Ask episode

AI Snips

Chapters

Transcript

Episode notes

INSIGHT

Bergson's Metaphysics

Bergson defines metaphysics uniquely as the science that dispenses with symbols.
It aims for rigorous, systematic knowledge without symbolic mediation.

INSIGHT

Symbolism in Art

Music and poetry utilize symbolic representation, which, according to Bergson, inherently involves generality.
Each moment of experience is unique and requires distinct, non-interchangeable symbols.

INSIGHT

Metaphysics vs. Science

Metaphysical statements point towards inner experience for validation, not external measurement.
Language can evoke this experience, but direct experience is key for understanding.

Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode

Get the app

MAKE HISTORY WITH US THIS SUMMER:https://demystifysci.com/demysticon-2025PATREON https://www.patreon.com/c/demystifysciPARADIGM DRIFThttps://demystifysci.com/paradigm-drift-showPATREON: get episodes early + join our weekly Patron Chat https://bit.ly/3lcAasBMERCH: Rock some DemystifySci gear : https://demystifysci.myspreadshop.com/allAMAZON: Do your shopping through this link: https://amzn.to/3YyoT98SUBSTACK: https://substack.com/@UCqV4_7i9h1_V7hY48eZZSLw@demystifysciDr. Jack Bagby is a professor of Philosophy, Cosmology, and Consciousness at the California Institute of Integral Studies who is one of the world’s foremost experts on the philosophy of Henri Bergson. Bergson was an early proponent of the absolute importance of context when trying to understand nature. This is nowhere more apparent than in the world of music, where the rhythm, interval, and mode of the songs being played creates wildly different sensations even when the same pure tones are in play. Bagby has extensive experience with novel musical instruments, strange tunings, and alternative scales, which he deploys as evidence of Bergson’s deep insights in the nature of perception and reality. (00:00) Go! Bergson's Influence(00:06:45) Defining Metaphysics(00:11:38) Creativity and Consciousness(00:14:22) Science v. Metaphysics(00:20:13) Sensation and Perception in Music(00:24:07) Critique of Artificial Intelligence(00:27:18) Metaphysics and Movement(00:30:24) Music and Inner Experience(00:35:01) Resonance Theory and Consciousness(00:50:09) Sensation, measurement, and subjectivity(00:58:07) Metaphysics, morality, and creativity(01:01:26) Music as a metaphor for existence(01:05:11) Technological expansion and consciousness(01:12:51) Building Musical Scales Through Overtones(01:14:13) Tuning and Musical Expression(01:17:38) Scales and Tuning Variability(01:21:02) Keyboard Innovations and Intonation(01:26:42) Perfect Fifths and Harmonic Construction(01:35:23) Harmonic Series and Interval Challenges(01:37:43) Harmony v. Dissonance(01:42:18) Expressive Dissonance and Temperament(01:46:02) Overtones and Consonance Explained(01:49:47) Measuring and Adjusting Temperaments(01:55:06) Historical Perspectives on Musical Tempering(02:11:29) Cultural Perception and Universality in Music(02:19:13) Experiential Nature of Music and Counterpoint(02:21:17) Demonstration of Microtonal Guitar(02:27:15) Rhythm and Its Temporal Nature(02:31:08) Metaphysics of Matter and Sensory Experience(02:35:10) Interpretations of Reality in Theory v. Experience(02:39:10) The Intersection of Science and Metaphysics(02:44:08) Continuous Dialogue Between Concepts and Reality #philosophy, #stoicism, #arttheory, #spiritualevolution , #musictheory, #Bergson, #aesthetics , #harmony , #consciousness , #creativitydevelopment , #existentialism, #philosophypodcast, #sciencepodcast, #longformpodcastCheck our short-films channel, @DemystifySci: https://www.youtube.com/c/DemystifyingScience AND our material science investigations of atomics, @MaterialAtomics https://www.youtube.com/@MaterialAtomicsJoin our mailing list https://bit.ly/3v3kz2S PODCAST INFO: Anastasia completed her PhD studying bioelectricity at Columbia University. When not talking to brilliant people or making movies, she spends her time painting, reading, and guiding backcountry excursions. Shilo also did his PhD at Columbia studying the elastic properties of molecular water. When he's not in the film studio, he's exploring sound in music. They are both freelance professors at various universities. - RSS: https://anchor.fm/s/2be66934/podcast/rss- Donate: https://bit.ly/3wkPqaD- Swag: https://bit.ly/2PXdC2y SOCIAL: - Discord: https://discord.gg/MJzKT8CQub- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/DemystifySci- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/DemystifySci/- Twitter: https://twitter.com/DemystifySciMUSIC: -Shilo Delay: https://g.co/kgs/oty671