Theories of Everything with Curt Jaimungal

Why Universal Skepticism Is Philosophy's Greatest Deception

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Apr 19, 2025

Jennifer Nagel, a Professor of Philosophy at the University of Toronto, challenges the notion of universal skepticism as a philosophical deception. She argues that doubt is an illusion, and that knowledge often comes from immediate recognition. The conversation explores the complexities of knowledge versus belief, the Gettier problem, and the nature of certainty. They also touch on the implications of these ideas for self, free will, and consciousness, raising questions about how we can truly know anything at all.

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INSIGHT

Knowledge as A Truth-Linked Mental State

Knowledge is a mental state linked only to the truth, distinct from belief or opinion.
Humans intuitively differentiate knowing from believing, seen in language and everyday interactions.

INSIGHT

Skepticism Is An Illusion

Reflective self-doubt about knowledge is natural but can generate skepticism.
Skepticism is an illusion created by social and cognitive pressures during introspection.

ADVICE

Counter Skepticism With Questions

When challenged by skeptics, ask what criteria would satisfy their doubt.
Turning skeptical questioning back encourages clarifying definitions and limits of knowledge.

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Knowledge and Its Limits

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Tim Williamson

Tim Williamson's "Knowledge and Its Limits" is a highly influential work in contemporary epistemology. It challenges traditional approaches to knowledge, arguing for a more robust and demanding conception. Williamson's work emphasizes the importance of understanding knowledge as a fundamental and irreducible concept. The book's rigorous arguments and innovative approach have sparked significant debate and shaped the direction of epistemological inquiry. Its impact on the field is undeniable, prompting a re-evaluation of long-held assumptions about the nature of knowledge.

The History of Time

A Very Short Introduction

Leofranc Holford-Strevens

In this book, Leofranc Holford-Strevens delves into the history of time measurement, discussing how different cultures have developed systems to measure time. The book covers topics such as the prehistory and history of the modern calendar, the measurement of days, months, and years, and the complexities of chronology. It also examines the philosophical and scientific debates surrounding the nature of time, highlighting the contributions of figures like Plotinus and St. Augustine. The author provides a comprehensive overview of how time has been understood and measured across various societies and historical periods.

Knowledge

A Very Short Introduction

Jennifer Nagel

This book provides an accessible introduction to epistemology, covering classic questions about knowledge and belief, as well as contemporary debates involving logic, linguistics, and psychology. It explores topics such as skepticism, rationalism, and empiricism, offering a clear and engaging exploration of the field.

Surfaces and Essences

Analogy as the Fuel and Fire of Thinking

Douglas Hofstadter

Emmanuel Sander

This book, written by Douglas Hofstadter and Emmanuel Sander, delves into the cognitive mechanisms that underpin human thought. It posits that analogy-making is the fundamental process by which our brains make sense of the world, constantly seeking strong analogical links to past experiences. The authors use a variety of colorful situations involving language, thought, and memory to illustrate how analogy is essential for thinking, from everyday experiences to the highest achievements of the human mind.

Today we are joined by philosopher Jennifer Nagel for a take-no-prisoners look at universal skepticism—philosophy’s greatest deception. We unpack why doubt itself is the ultimate illusion, how knowledge is primitive instant recognition, and what this means for self, free will & consciousness.

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Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction

01:28 The Nature of Knowledge

10:58 Philosophers and the Skeptical Mindset

16:57 Types of Skepticism

22:27 Exploring Knowledge Attribution

29:51 The Illusion of Knowledge

34:16 Knowing Without Knowing

38:10 Writing About Knowledge

46:10 Analyzing Knowledge

55:08 The Gettier Problem and Its Challenges

1:01:10 The Functionality of Knowledge

1:11:23 Collaborative Understanding of Knowledge

2:10:00 Understanding and Consciousness

2:26:32 Truth and Its Nature

2:32:16 Superposition and Contradictions

2:32:19 Conclusion

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Links Mentioned:

- Knowledge: A Very Short Introduction (book): https://www.amazon.com/Knowledge-Very-Short-Introduction-Introductions/dp/019966126X

- Knowledge and its Limits (book): https://www.amazon.ca/Knowledge-its-Limits-Timothy-Williamson/dp/019925656X

- Very Short Introductions (series): https://www.google.com/search?q=a+very+short+introduction+to+series&sca_esv=3da4db664be6b3a1&ei=ypX6Z6flHsDniLMP2v2QkQk&ved=0ahUKEwin8oSB9tKMAxXAM2IAHdo-JJIQ4dUDCBA&uact=5&oq=a+very+short+introduction+to+series&gs_lp=Egxnd3Mtd2l6LXNlcnAiI2EgdmVyeSBzaG9ydCBpbnRyb2R1Y3Rpb24gdG8gc2VyaWVzMgUQABiABDILEAAYgAQYhgMYigUyCxAAGIAEGIYDGIoFMgsQABiABBiGAxiKBTIIEAAYogQYiQUyCBAAGIAEGKIEMggQABiABBiiBDIFEAAY7wVIqBRQxAtYwBBwAXgAkAEAmAFZoAGtAqoBATS4AQPIAQD4AQGYAgSgAocCwgIKEAAYsAMY1gQYR8ICDRAuGIAEGLADGEMYigXCAg0QABiABBiwAxhDGIoFwgIPEAAYgAQYQxiKBRhGGPsBwgIbEAAYgAQYQxiKBRhGGPsBGJcFGIwFGN0E2AEBwgIGEAAYBxgemAMAiAYBkAYKugYGCAEQARgTkgcBNKAHph6yBwEzuAf_AQ&sclient=gws-wiz-serp#wgvs=e

- Time: A Very Short Introduction (book): https://www.amazon.ca/Time-Short-Introduction-Jenann-Ismael/dp/0198832664

- Laplace meets Godel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZB3tS7j7nNU

- Flexible Goals (paper): https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/cogs.13195

- The Legend of the Justified True Belief Analysis (paper): https://philpapers.org/archive/DUTTLO-3.pdf

- Lay Denial of Knowledge for Justified True Beliefs (paper): https://philpapers.org/archive/NAGLDO

- TOE’s Consciousness Iceberg: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GDjnEiys98o

- Matt Segal on TOE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DeTm4fSXpbM

- Curt reads Plato’s Cave: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PurNlwnxwfY

- David Bentley Hart on TOE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NEAgVvW9i10

- Donald Hoffman on TOE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CmieNQH7Q4w&t=1s

- Iain McGilchrist on TOE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-SgOwc6Pe4&t=6326s&ab_channel=CurtJaimungal

- Geoffrey Hinton on TOE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b_DUft-BdIE

- John Vervaeke on TOE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GVj1KYGyesI&t=1s

- Wolfgang Smith on TOE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vp18_L_y_30

- Polymath’s Ai panel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=abzXzPBW4_s

- Donald Hoffman and Philip Goff on TOE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MmaIBxkqcT4

- Robert Sapolsky on TOE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z0IqA1hYKY8&pp=ygUUY3VydCByb2JlcnQgc2Fwb2xza3k%3D

- Curt debunks the “all possible paths” myth: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XcY3ZtgYis0&t=46s

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