Making Sense with Sam Harris

#317 — What Do We Know About Our Minds?

Apr 20, 2023

In this engaging conversation, Paul Bloom, a psychology professor at the University of Toronto, discusses the interplay of psychology, creativity, and morality. They explore fiction's role in understanding the mind, dissect the ethics of AI, and challenge the impact of misinformation on our beliefs. Bloom shares insights on the difference between bullshitting and lying in politics, the nuances of consciousness versus intelligence, and the importance of critical thinking in navigating authority in science and society. It's a thought-provoking dive into the complexities of human cognition.

01:07:46

Creator website

Episode guests

Paul Bloom

Highlights

AI Chapters

Episode notes

The Difference Between a Liar and a Bullshitter

02:19

The Value of Fiction in Understanding Human Life

03:21

Podcasts and audiobooks & Nature. AI problem.

02:28

Challenges of creating market solutions for societal issues

00:51

Intro

5min

The Intersection of Psychology and Creative Expression

12min

AI, Consciousness, and Ethical Dilemmas

11min

Navigating the Social Media Maze

24min

Truth vs. Bullshit in Politics

7min

Navigating Authority and Skepticism in Science and Society

3min

Navigating Complexity: The Role of AI in Cognitive Science

2min

Exploring the Complexities of Consciousness and the Unconscious Mind

4min

Sam Harris speaks with Paul Bloom about the state of psychological science. They discuss fiction as a window onto the mind, recent developments in AI, the tension between misinformation and free speech, bullshitting vs lying, truth vs belonging, reliance on scientific authority, the limits of reductionism, consciousness vs intelligence, Freud, behaviorism, the unconscious origins of behavior, confabulation, the limitations of debate, language, Koko the gorilla, mental health, happiness, behavioral genetics, birth-order effects, living a good life, the remembered and experiencing selves, and other topics.

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Learning how to train your mind is the single greatest investment you can make in life. That’s why Sam Harris created the Waking Up app. From rational mindfulness practice to lessons on some of life’s most important topics, join Sam as he demystifies the practice of meditation and explores the theory behind it.

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