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Brain Science with Ginger Campbell, MD: Neuroscience for Everyone
BS 212 Thomas Metzinger on "The Ego Tunnel" (Encore)
Sep 22, 2023
Philosopher Thomas Metzinger discusses the discovery that consciousness is a biological process. Topics include altered states, dreaming, out of body experiences, and virtual reality. The relationship between consciousness and biology, as well as the nature of the self as a process, are explored. The disconnection between the body and the brain in lucid dreams and out-of-body experiences is also discussed. The relationship between sense of self and body models, advancements in neurotechnology, and the future understanding of ourselves are considered.
01:06:36
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Quick takeaways
- Consciousness is a biological process shaped by the body and includes altered states such as dreaming and out-of-body experiences.
- Understanding consciousness as a natural process raises ethical concerns and calls for reflection on societal implications and the responsible use of emerging neurotechnology.
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The importance of studying altered states of consciousness
Thomas Metzinger emphasizes the need for any valid theory of consciousness to include an explanation of altered states such as dreaming and drug experiences. He argues that consciousness is a biological process and highlights the role of the body in shaping our conscious experience. Metzinger introduces the concept of the Ego Tunnel, a metaphor for the fact that our conscious experience is internally generated and limited to a small portion of our overall brain activity. He also discusses the function of consciousness, suggesting that it allows for more flexible behavior. Metzinger raises concerns about societal reactions to our evolving understanding of ourselves and urges reflection on the ethical implications of newfound knowledge and capabilities in neuroscience and neurotechnology.
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