Walter Veit Podcast #6 - Eva Jablonka: Epigenetics, Evolution, Consciousness, Israel and Palestine
Dec 12, 2023
Eva Jablonka, an emeritus professor at Tel Aviv University, discusses epigenetics, evolution, consciousness, and the Israel-Palestine conflict. She explores topics like epigenetic inheritance, the link between cognition and consciousness, and unlimited associative learning. Jablonka also shares experiences visiting a monastery and traveling to different places around the world.
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Epigenetics As Developmental Networks
- Epigenetics involves networks of gene interactions that produce phenotypes, balancing canalization and plasticity.
- Epigenetic inheritance transmits developmental variations across generations independently of DNA sequence.
Social Learning As Inheritance
- Social learning forms a distinct inheritance system that shapes animal behaviour across generations.
- Jablonka and Avital argued social transmission complements genetic and epigenetic inheritance in evolution.
How The Consciousness Project Began
- Simona Ginsburg persuaded Jablonka to study consciousness after long debates and readings of Aristotle.
- Their collaboration produced sustained work culminating in papers (2007 onward) and the book on consciousness.