Inner Cosmos with David Eagleman Ep110 "Is consciousness related to quantum physics?" (with Roger Penrose and Stuart Hameroff)
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Jun 30, 2025 Join mathematical physicist Roger Penrose, 2020 Nobel Prize winner, and anesthesiologist Stuart Hameroff as they probe the mysterious ties between consciousness and quantum physics. They discuss whether consciousness could precede biology, explore the potential role of microtubules in brain function, and examine the implications of quantum coherence for decision-making and free will. This engaging conversation challenges listeners to rethink traditional neuroscience models and consider how quantum mechanics might reshape our understanding of awareness.
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Consciousness Beyond Complexity
- Consciousness might not emerge simply by adding more neurons or complexity to a system.
- Subjective experience likely involves deeper principles beyond classical neural networks.
Consciousness Transcends Algorithms
- Consciousness cannot be fully explained by rule-based algorithms or computation.
- Gödel's incompleteness theorem suggests human insight transcends computational rules.
Quantum Mechanics and Consciousness
- Quantum mechanics describe indeterminacy and superposition at the smallest scales.
- Collapse of the wave function upon observation might be linked to conscious experience.
