Philosophy For Our Times

Consciousness and the limits of science PART 1 | Sean Carroll, Ellen Langer, and Tamar Gendler

26 snips
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.
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INSIGHT

Materialism vs. Consciousness

  • Materialism suggests that physical matter explains consciousness.
  • Critics argue that a sophisticated brain account doesn't equal understanding experience.
INSIGHT

Emergent Consciousness

  • Sean Carroll believes consciousness arises from physical matter.
  • He emphasizes physics' simplicity compared to the complexity of consciousness.
INSIGHT

Mind-Body Unity

  • Ellen Langer believes focusing on human potential is more important than defining consciousness.
  • Mind and body are interconnected, impacting health and well-being.
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