Theories of Everything with Curt Jaimungal
Why Universal Skepticism Is Philosophy's Greatest Deception
Podcast summary created with Snipd AI
Quick takeaways
- Universal skepticism is framed as the greatest deception in philosophy, underlining that doubt often obscures immediate and primitive forms of knowledge.
- The discussion highlights that philosophical inquiry into knowledge can clarify everyday certainties and the distinction between knowing and believing.
- Skepticism is presented as a natural human impulse, driven by self-reflection and the tension between common beliefs and philosophical principles.
- The podcast emphasizes the interdependence of knowledge and social interaction, suggesting that conversations are grounded in shared understanding and intuitive judgments.
- A key theme explores the relationship between knowledge and free will, proposing that deeper knowledge awareness may illuminate aspects of human agency and decision-making.
Deep dives
The Impact of Identity Fraud on Tax Season
The episode highlights the alarming figure of $16.5 billion in identity fraud flagged by the IRS last year, emphasizing the significance of protecting one's identity during tax season. It stresses the crucial role of monitoring data points, with services like LifeLock offering protection against identity theft. Through their monitoring of 100 million data points every second, LifeLock aims to provide reassurance and security for users, ensuring that if an identity is stolen, it will be restored. This statistic serves as a wake-up call that underscores the importance of vigilance in safeguarding personal information, especially during times of increased fraud risk.
Philosophical Perspectives on Knowledge
The discussion pivots towards the philosophical aspects of knowledge, outlining the distinction between knowing and not knowing. Professor Jennifer Nagel from the University of Toronto posits that self-consciousness can lead to skepticism about one's knowledge. The effortless recognition we have in social interactions often contrasts sharply with the doubt that arises when scrutinizing our certainties, suggesting that knowledge is more intrinsic and primitive than constructed. This exploration offers a profound reflection on how philosophical inquiry into knowledge can clarify our understanding of certainty in everyday life.
The Challenges of Defining Knowledge
The episode illustrates the lack of consensus among philosophers regarding the definition of knowledge, revealing the complexities involved. Nagel asserts that while society leans towards skepticism, understanding the nuances between knowing and believing is vital to addressing philosophical quandaries, particularly concerning free will. The conversation supports the idea that everyday interactions are grounded in our instinctive grasp of knowledge, emphasizing the significance of this distinction in social exchanges. Ultimately, the nature of knowledge can facilitate clearer communication and understanding among individuals in a variety of contexts.
Skepticism and the Nature of Truth
Skepticism is explored in depth as a natural impulse that arises from self-reflection and critical thinking. The dialogue highlights that skepticism does not necessarily stem from a lack of knowledge but can emerge from the tension between what is commonly accepted and philosophical inquiry. The understanding of truth is differentiated from mere belief through the lens of logical consistency with reality. Moreover, it challenges listeners to consider their own knowledge claims, suggesting that being aware of the difference between knowing and believing can strengthen their philosophical perspectives.
The Role of Factive Attitudes in Knowledge
The episode discusses factive attitudes as those strongly tied to truth, positioning knowledge as a crucial type of such attitudes. Knowledge, as defined, stands apart from belief or opinion because it necessitates a direct correlation to the truth of the matter. An illuminating example given illustrates how knowing relates more closely to factual scenarios rather than conjectures. The ramifications for understanding knowledge in this context shift the conversation towards establishing a more precise categorization of mental states and how they operate within human cognition.
Interplay Between Knowledge and Human Experience
The conversation emphasizes the interdependence of knowledge and human experiences in social settings. When conversing, our perceptions of others and our confidence in their claims are shaped by our intuitive judgments about what they know or don't know. This dynamic indicates that our social interactions are rooted in shared knowledge and understanding, fostering collaboration. Ultimately, recognizing this interplay enhances our grasp of conversations and how they shape both our perceptions and knowledge.
Exploring the Nature of Free Will
The episode touches on the philosophical problem of free will, proposing that a deeper understanding of knowledge could help illuminate the complex nature of free agency. The distinction between determinism and free will raises questions regarding human autonomy and the possibility of genuine choice. The discussion reveals that many philosophers remain uncertain about the nature of free will, viewing it as a mystery rather than a problem to be solved. The pursuit of understanding knowledge, as it relates to free will, reflects the ongoing quest to comprehend human agency and decision-making.
Understanding Language and AI
A significant portion of the podcast delves into the relationship between language, understanding, and artificial intelligence. As AI models become increasingly sophisticated, questions arise about the nature of understanding and whether these systems truly possess it. The conversation considers the nuances of human understanding compared to what AI can achieve, acknowledging the role of context and character in human interactions. By examining how language models use data to engage in conversation, the podcast encourages reflection on what it means to understand in both human and artificial contexts.
Truth as a Bedrock Concept
The dialogue asserts that truth should be understood as a foundational concept, essential for grounding knowledge. Tarski's definition of truth is discussed in light of its minimalist nature, emphasizing that truth does not require additional layers or inflationary models. Rather, truth and knowledge should be appreciated for their direct relationship with reality, guiding our understanding of propositions. This perspective on truth allows for a clearer delineation of knowledge as it necessitates a factual basis in the physical world.
The Complexity of Human Cognition
The podcast details the multifaceted nature of human cognition, especially concerning how we articulate knowledge and beliefs. People often navigate between conscious thinking and the subconscious, leading to discrepancies in self-awareness of their mental states. Acknowledging that individuals can hold beliefs without fully recognizing them adds another layer to understanding human cognition. This complexity compels further exploration into how we attribute knowledge and navigate our understanding of both ourselves and others.
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
Support TOE on Patreon: https://patreon.com/curtjaimungal
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TOEwithCurt
Discord Invite: https://discord.com/invite/kBcnfNVwqs
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