EconTalk

Patrick House and Itzhak Fried on the Brain's Mysteries

May 1, 2023

Neuroscientist Patrick House, author of "19 Ways of Looking at Consciousness," and neurosurgeon Itzhak Fried, known for his studies on brain functions, engage in a fascinating dialogue about the brain’s intricacies. They explore how brain surgery can elicit laughter, raising questions about free will and emotional authenticity. The conversation delves into the connections between guilt and brain activity, and the challenges of replicating human emotions in AI. Their insights shed light on the enigma of consciousness and the philosophical implications of our neurobiological experiences.

01:07:41

Creator website

Episode guests

Patrick House

Itzhak Fried

AI Chapters

Episode notes

Intro

2min

The Humor of Healing: Neurosurgery Insights

20min

The Dynamics of Laughter and Emotion

8min

Exploring Free Will: The Intersection of Philosophy and Neuroscience

4min

The Intersection of Guilt and Brain Activity

3min

Exploring Human Emotions and AI Consciousness

8min

Bowling Balls vs. Pigeons: Predictability in Science

7min

The Enigma of Consciousness and Free Will

16min

While operating on a 16-year-old girl who suffered from severe seizures, neurosurgeon Itzhak Fried stumbled on the region of the brain that makes us laugh. To neuroscientist Patrick House, Fried's ability to produce laughter surgically raises deep and disconcerting questions about how the brain works. Join Fried, House, and EconTalk's Russ Roberts for a live broadcast from Jerusalem's Shalem College that is a sequel of sorts to House's earlier appearance on EconTalk. House and Fried discuss the mystery of consciousness and try to square the biological bases for emotions with the circle of our humanity.

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