Lex Fridman Podcast #149 – Diana Walsh Pasulka: Aliens, Technology, Religion, and the Nature of Belief
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Dec 28, 2020 
Diana Walsh Pasulka, a philosophy and religion professor at UNCW and author of American Cosmic, dives into compelling discussions about belief, technology, and extraterrestrial life. She explores how personal beliefs shape reality and the influence of religious narratives on societal norms. The conversation touches on Nietzsche’s declaration that 'God is dead,' the evolving intersection of spirituality and UFOs, and the philosophical implications of consciousness in relation to artificial intelligence. It's a thrilling journey through the mysterious realms of belief and the cosmos.
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Belief vs. Reality
- Beliefs are attitudes influencing actions, but don't always reflect objective reality.
- Objective reality is difficult to grasp, with Kant arguing we perceive phenomena, not the true "thing-in-itself."
Beliefs' Impact
- Historical belief that women lacked souls, though untrue, had real social consequences.
- Limbo's existence caused immense suffering for over a millennium despite being non-existent.
Approaching Reality
- We are far from fully understanding physical reality through our senses alone.
- Technology extends our senses, offering a more direct understanding of reality.
