The Michael Shermer Show What if Death Isn’t the End? The Science of Forever
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Jan 21, 2025 
Ariel Zeleznikow-Johnston, a neuroscientist from Monash University, dives deep into the intriguing questions surrounding consciousness and immortality. He challenges the notion that death is essential for a meaningful life. The conversation explores the mind-body problem, the intricacies of personal identity, and the potential for life-extension technologies. Zeleznikow-Johnston also discusses the connectome's role in memories and identity, as well as the philosophical implications of consciousness and the future of longevity. Tune in for a thought-provoking journey into the science of forever!
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Religious vs. Scientific Afterlife
- Michael Shermer mentions John 3:16, highlighting a religious perspective on eternal life.
- Ariel Zeleznikow-Johnston finds soul-based accounts of immortality less compelling than scientific explanations.
The Mind-Body Problem for Monists
- The mind-body problem persists even for monists who believe the mind is solely the brain.
- They struggle to explain how consciousness causes physical actions.
The Hard Problem of Consciousness
- The hard problem of consciousness asks how physical processes give rise to subjective experience.
- Current theories, like Global Workspace Theory and Integrated Information Theory, have limitations.