Theories of Everything with Curt Jaimungal Joscha Bach Λ John Vervaeke on Mind, Idealism, Consciousness, and Computation [Theolocution]
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Jan 18, 2022 
Joscha Bach is a cognitive scientist renowned for his groundbreaking work in AI and consciousness. John Vervaeke is a cognitive science professor known for his insights into wisdom and Buddhism. Together, they explore the intricate definitions of consciousness and self, debating the connections between mind and computational entities. They discuss how perceptions shape reality, delve into the complexities of qualia, and investigate the philosophical implications of skepticism. Their lively conversation challenges traditional views on consciousness, blending science and philosophy.
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Mind, Sentience, and Consciousness
- Mind is the mechanism emerging from brain activity, creating a model of the world and self.
- It facilitates motivation, with sentience being the ability to relate to the environment and learn.
Qualia and Subjectivity
- Qualia are subjective, non-mathematically measurable qualities of experience, like the feeling of greenness.
- Descartes, following Galileo and Locke, believed qualia exist only in the mind, not the objective world.
Robot Soccer and Qualia
- Joscha Bach recounts teaching robots to play soccer, where color interpretation depended on context, not just RGB values.
- This reveals that qualia are context-dependent interpretations, not just raw sensory data.