Within Reason #128 Bernardo Kastrup - Materialism is Complete Nonsense
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Nov 2, 2025 
Bernardo Kastrup, a philosopher and computer scientist known for his work on consciousness and analytic idealism, dives deep into the limitations of materialism. He argues that physical objects are merely reflections of mental states and critiques materialism's inability to adequately explain consciousness. The conversation explores the distinction between qualities and quantities, the nature of the self, and how consciousness exists independently of sensory perception. Kastrup also challenges panpsychism and emphasizes our experiences as integrated complexes rather than isolated entities.
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Matter As Appearance Of Mind
- Bernardo Kastrup argues physical objects are extrinsic appearances of mental states, not literal non-mental matter.
- He keeps empirical matter (atoms, measurements) but reinterprets their ontology as appearances of mind.
Qualities Versus Quantities
- Qualities (qualia) are the felt stuff of experience; quantities are descriptive models scientists use.
- Science models behaviors with quantities but cannot explain the qualitative 'what-it-is-like'.
Materialism Lacks Explanatory Power
- Kastrup claims materialism explains nothing fundamental because it cannot account for qualia.
- He calls materialism metaphysically incoherent and historically sociopolitical in origin.
