Making Sense with Sam Harris #268 — The Limits of Self-Knowledge
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Nov 24, 2021 In this enlightening discussion, Stephen Fleming, a cognitive neuroscience professor at University College London and author of "Know Thyself: The Science of Self-Awareness," delves into the intricacies of self-awareness. They explore the fascinating yet flawed nature of metacognition and how it ties to intelligence. Topics include the challenges of error monitoring, self-deception, and maintaining self-awareness under stress. Fleming sheds light on the neural processes behind our inner dialogues and the crucial role of social interactions in shaping our self-perception.
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Metacognition: Thinking About Thinking
- Metacognition, or "thinking about thinking," involves reflecting on our own mental processes.
- It allows us to recognize our errors, assess our knowledge, and adjust our behavior accordingly.
Boardroom Tears
- Sam Harris recounts a story about a stressful board meeting.
- A colleague pointed out the speaker's quivering lip, revealing unnoticed emotional stress.
Stress and Self-Awareness
- Stephen Fleming discusses how studying metacognition has increased his self-awareness.
- He acknowledges that stress can impair metacognition, making it harder to recognize behavioral changes.
