

Is consciousness an illusion? 5 experts explain
8 snips Aug 19, 2025
Join Christof Koch, a neuroscientist delving into how the brain shapes consciousness, Swami Sarvapriyananda, a spiritual leader exploring profound knowledge limits, and Reid Hoffman, LinkedIn co-founder pondering AI's impact on awareness. They discuss whether consciousness is an illusion, panpsychism's relevance, and how AI might redefine self-awareness. The conversation intricately weaves science, philosophy, and spirituality, questioning the essence of existence in a universe that's increasingly interconnected.
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Consciousness As Subjective Experience
- Christof Koch defines consciousness as subjective experience: feelings, qualia, and awareness.
- He frames consciousness as the foundational fact science must explain to make sense of reality.
Toothache Sparked A Research Path
- Christof Koch recounts a toothache sparking his curiosity about why pain feels like something.
- That personal curiosity led him to study neuronal correlates of consciousness with Francis Crick.
Panpsychism As An Alternative
- Panpsychism proposes matter has both inner and outer aspects, making consciousness ubiquitous.
- Complex systems host richer consciousness while simple systems have minimal inner experience.