Donald Hoffman: What is an "Observer"? New Discovery in Search of "One" Consciousness Beyond Reality

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Dec 21, 2023

Donald Hoffman, distinguished cognitive psychologist and bestselling science author, discusses consciousness, visual perception, and evolutionary psychology using mathematical models and psychophysical experiments. They delve into logical consequences of consciousness as the foundation of existence, the mysteries of reality as a simulation, theoretical limits in science, finding 'The One' mathematically, scientific spirituality, living vs. non-living, Bernardo Kastrup's analytic idealism, conceptualizing the Big Bang under this framework, idealism's implications on humanity, diversity of experience, avoiding cult-like behavior, and more.

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INSIGHT

New Logic of Observation

Hoffman's team discovered a new logic governing observations using Markovian kernels.
This logic reveals a partial ordering of Markov chains, offering a formal theory of observation.

INSIGHT

Physicalism's Shortcomings

Physicalist theories of consciousness struggle to explain qualia, like the taste of chocolate.
Hoffman argues this failure stems from their reliance on doomed concepts like spacetime and reductionism.

INSIGHT

Spacetime as a Headset

Hoffman uses the analogy of a VR headset to explain consciousness; spacetime is the interface, not reality.
Consciousness exists beyond this interface, and physical systems are merely portals to it.

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Donald Hoffman is Professor Emeritus of Cognitive Sciences at the University of California, Irvine with joint appointments in the Department of Philosophy, the Department of Logic and Philosophy of Science, and the School of Computer Science. He received his Ph.D. from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). He is an author of over 120 scientific papers and three books, including the bestseller “The Case Against Reality: Why Evolution Hid the Truth from Our Eyes.” TIMESTAMPS (0:00) Introduction (2:00 New Discovery (Observer) (21:32) Theories of Consciousness (Graziano, Tononi, Hammerhof, Frankish etc.) (39:49) Theoretical Limits in Science (46:19) Finding "The One" (aka "God") Mathematically (57:32) Scientific Spirituality (1:00:16 Thomas Campbell's Idealism (1:08:00) Beyond the Virtual Reality/Matrix/Simulation/Spacetime/Quantum/Headset (1:17:22) Living vs Non-living (1:24:00) Bernardo Kastrup's Analytic Idealism (1:33:55) Conceptualizimg The Big Bang Under This Framework (1:39:00) Michael Levin's Work (1:43:43) Federico Faggin helped influence "The One". Are there possible "Others" (Multiverses) (1:52:00) Idealism's Implications on Humanity (2:12:18) Diversity of Experience & Purpose of "The One" (2:20:15) Avoiding Cult-like Behaviour (2:26:31) Conclusion EPISODE LINKS: - Donald's Round 1: https://youtu.be/M5Hz1giUUT8 - Donald's Round 2: https://youtu.be/Toq9YLl49KM - Donald's Website: https://www.cogsci.uci.edu/~ddhoff/ - Donald's Books: https://tinyurl.com/5x7bmzbd - Donald's Publications: https://tinyurl.com/bp7btw9a CONNECT: - Website: https://tevinnaidu.com/ - Podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/drtevinnaidu- - Twitter: https://twitter.com/drtevinnaidu/ - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drtevinnaidu - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drtevinnaidu/ - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drtevinnaidu/ ============================= Disclaimer: The information provided on this channel is for educational purposes only. The content is shared in the spirit of open discourse and does not constitute, nor does it substitute, professional or medical advice. We do not accept any liability for any loss or damage incurred from you acting or not acting as a result of listening/watching any of our contents. You acknowledge that you use the information provided at your own risk. Listeners/viewers are advised to conduct their own research and consult with their own experts in the respective fields.