StarTalk Radio Is Consciousness Everywhere? With Anil Seth
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Jan 24, 2025 
Join neuroscientist Anil Seth, a professor at the University of Sussex and author of 'Being You', as he delves into the intriguing mysteries of consciousness. The conversation takes a twist on panpsychism, pondering if consciousness exists in all entities. Seth and the hosts dissect the distinctions between human intelligence and AI, questioning if machines could ever achieve true awareness. They also explore the implications of advancing technology on our perception of self, memory, and even the potential for consciousness beyond Earth.
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Consciousness Is Real
- Consciousness is real, it's the only thing we can be truly sure of.
- Everything else, like the external world and our sense of self, is filtered through our conscious experience.
Consciousness and Human Exceptionalism
- Consciousness is the "last refuge of human exceptionalism".
- Humans have historically placed themselves at the center of narratives, and consciousness is the latest iteration.
Philosophical Stances, Not Theories
- Dualism, monism, and materialism are not theories of consciousness, but philosophical stances.
- These stances inform the perspectives from which theories can be built.
