This book by Douglas Hofstadter is a comprehensive and interdisciplinary work that explores the interrelated ideas of Kurt Gödel, M.C. Escher, and Johann Sebastian Bach. It delves into concepts such as self-reference, recursion, and the limits of formal systems, particularly through Gödel's Incompleteness Theorem. The book uses dialogues between fictional characters, including Achilles and the Tortoise, to intuitively present complex ideas before they are formally explained. It covers a wide range of topics including cognitive science, artificial intelligence, number theory, and the philosophy of mind, aiming to understand how consciousness and intelligence emerge from formal systems[2][4][5].
This book argues that the division of the brain into two hemispheres is essential to human existence, allowing for two incompatible versions of the world. The left hemisphere is detail-oriented, prefers mechanisms to living things, and is inclined to self-interest, while the right hemisphere has greater breadth, flexibility, and generosity. McGilchrist takes the reader on a journey through the history of Western culture, illustrating the tension between these two worlds as revealed in the thought and belief of thinkers and artists from ancient to modern times. He argues that the increasing dominance of the left hemisphere in today’s world has potentially disastrous consequences.
In this book, Roger Penrose challenges the idea that human consciousness can be replicated by computers. He delves into various subjects including algorithms, Turing machines, complexity theory, quantum mechanics, and the basics of modern physics to support his argument that human cognition is fundamentally non-computable. Penrose discusses the limitations of Turing machines, the incompleteness of formal systems as shown by Godel's proof, and the necessity of a unified theory of quantum gravity to explain human consciousness. The book is a detailed and thought-provoking journey through mathematics, computer science, philosophy, and physics, making it a must-read for those interested in the nature of mind and the relationship between physics and consciousness.
Welcome to the complete Iceberg of Consciousness.
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LAYER 1
01:31 – Introduction to Layer 1
01:38 – What Is Consciousness?
04:20 – The Mind-Body Problem
06:02 – Sleep, Dreams, and Altered States
08:53 – Free Will vs. Determinism
10:58 – The Self and Identity
LAYER 2
12:56 – Introduction to Layer 2
13:02 – The Hard Problem of Consciousness
16:59 – Qualia and Phenomenal Consciousness
19:27 – Advaita Vedanta (Non-Dualism)
22:59 – John Vervaeke’s Relevance Realization
24:45 – Panpsychism and the Combination Problem
26:58 – Buddhist Consciousness (Yogācāra & Madhyamaka)
29:04 – Global Workspace Theory
31:59 – Carl Jung’s Explanation for Consciousness
LAYER 3
36:03 – Introduction to Layer 3
36:47 – Heidegger’s Concept of Dasein
39:28 – Attention Schema Theory (Michael Graziano)
42:53 – EM-Field Topology & Boundary Problem (Andrés Gómez Emilsson)
46:49 – Joscha Bach’s Theory
53:41 – Donald Hoffman’s Theory
57:47 – Nir Lahav’s Relativistic Consciousness
LAYER 4
01:05:46 – Introduction to Layer 4
01:06:25 – Douglas Hofstadter’s Strange Loops
01:11:50 – Penrose’s Quantum Consciousness
01:16:04 – Christopher Langan’s CTMU
01:20:31 – Johnjoe McFadden’s CEMI Field Theory
01:24:24 – David Chalmers’ Extended Mind Hypothesis
01:29:18 – Iain McGilchrist’s Relational Dual-Aspect Monism
LAYER 5
01:33:04 – Introduction to Layer 5
01:34:35 – Bernardo Kastrup’s Analytic Idealism
01:38:54 – Karl Friston’s Enactive Approach / Free Energy Principle
01:42:12 – Alfred North Whitehead’s Pan-Experientialism
01:46:56 – Mark Solms’ Felt Uncertainty & Affective Theory
01:51:20 – Thomas Metzinger’s Minimal Phenomenal Selfhood
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