What is consciousness? PART 2 | Iain Mcgilchrist, Roger Penrose and Steve Fuller
Sep 27, 2024
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In this thought-provoking conversation, Iain Mcgilchrist, a prominent neuroscientist and philosopher, joins Nobel laureate Roger Penrose and postmodern sociologist Steve Fuller to explore the elusive nature of consciousness. They dissect whether consciousness exists outside of human thought and its relationship to knowledge and experience. The trio delves into Gödel's theorem, the quantum potential of microtubules, and the impact of technology on our understanding of consciousness. Join them as they navigate the complex intersection of physics, philosophy, and human existence.
Consciousness transcends neurological explanations and demands exploration through unique experiences like poetry and spirituality to truly understand it.
The potential link between microtubules and consciousness suggests a need to reconsider the intersection of biology and quantum mechanics.
Deep dives
The Nature of Consciousness
Consciousness is presented as a complex subject that extends beyond mere neurological explanations. One viewpoint suggests that consciousness serves as the foundational basis for all knowledge, implying that it needs to be understood through unique experiences, such as poetry or spiritual insights. Engaging with consciousness involves recognizing the limitations inherent in our methods of inquiry, as attempting to analyze it can lead to distorted perceptions of what consciousness truly is. The discussion emphasizes the need for a different approach, highlighting that traditional analytical methods may not fully capture the essence of consciousness.
Self-Referential Challenges
The conversation examines the implications of consciousness becoming self-referential, which can inherently change the nature of what is being observed. It raises philosophical questions regarding the limitations imposed by Gödel's theorem, asserting that while it illustrates boundaries, it also opens avenues for transcending those limits. This self-transcendence is viewed as a core characteristic of consciousness, allowing humans to step back and re-evaluate their understanding. The dialogue suggests that consciousness involves a dynamic interplay between recognizing one's limitations and striving to overcome them.
Quantum Mechanics and Consciousness
The discussion introduces the intriguing concept of microtubules within cells and their potential link to consciousness, proposing that these structures may exhibit superconductive properties at body temperature. This suggests an extraordinary mechanism through which quantum mechanics might influence biological systems, challenging the notion that such phenomena only occur at extreme conditions. This theory highlights the need for a paradigm shift in how we understand the intersection of biology and physics, particularly regarding consciousness. The implications of this research could redefine what we know about intelligent machines and their relationship to consciousness.
We think we have this thing, consciousness, whether we share it with the entire earth or with only our species, but yet its definition has evaded the efforts of leading philosophers and neuroscientists alike for decades.
Do you think you know what consciousness is? Does it exist out there in the world or only in our thoughts?
Join leading neuroscientist and philosopher Iain Mcgilchrist, Nobel prize winning mathematical physicist Roger Penrose and postmodern sociologist Steve Fuller as they ask themselves these questions. Their conversation touches on the quantum element of consciousness, its hard problems, and more. The host if post-realist philosopher Hilary Lawson.
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