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Philosophy For Our Times
Consciousness and the limits of science PART 1 | Sean Carroll, Ellen Langer, and Tamar Gendler
Oct 8, 2024
Join Sean Carroll, a physicist and cosmologist from Johns Hopkins, Ellen Langer, a Harvard psychologist known for her work on mindfulness, and Tamar Gendler, Yale's philosophy and cognitive science expert, as they dive deep into the enigma of consciousness. They challenge if science can ever truly unravel subjective experience and explore the philosophical nuances of materialism and dualism. The discussion also tackles external world skepticism and the fascinating mind-body connection, highlighting how evolving insights can impact our understanding of reality.
30:00
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Quick takeaways
- The debate highlights the complexity of consciousness and suggests that while scientific breakthroughs are possible, absolute truths may remain elusive.
- Ellen Langer argues for the interconnectedness of mind and body, emphasizing that mental states can significantly influence physical health outcomes.
Deep dives
The Complexity of Consciousness
Understanding consciousness remains one of the most intricate challenges facing both science and philosophy. The discussion highlights a common belief among philosophers that materialism, which views the mind purely as a product of physical processes, offers insight into consciousness. Critics argue that despite advancements in neuroscience and psychology, there is still no concrete explanation for subjective experiences, such as thoughts or emotions. Sean Carroll emphasizes that while consciousness is complex, he believes it will eventually be explained within the framework of physical laws, as opposed to requiring any revolutionary changes to our understanding of physics.
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Discover
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