Jay Garfield discusses Buddhist philosophy, cognitive illusions, and online courses with Wisdom Academy. They explore the concept of self, challenges conventional notions of personhood, and delves into illusions and subjectivity in Buddhist philosophy. The conversation also covers the conventional nature of existence, comparative philosophical traditions in Buddhism, and explores the limits of cognition and subjectivity. Lastly, they reflect on Wilfred Sellers' empiricism and the ethical core of Dharma.
Exploring the concept of selflessness through cognitive illusions and thought experiments.
Navigating the impact of subject-object duality on our perception of reality.
Contemplating the ethical considerations of AI sentience and moral concerns in norm-governed interactions.
Deep dives
The Illusion of Self and Personhood
The discussion delves into the distinction between self and personhood, highlighting the book 'Losing Ourselves' and the concept of selflessness. Jay explores thought experiments to challenge the innate understanding of self and illustrates how cognitive illusions shape our perception of self and personhood.
Subject-Object Duality and Illusions
The conversation explores the illusion of subject-object duality and how it impacts our understanding of reality. By engaging in thoughtful thought experiments, the dialogue navigates through the cognitive illusions that shape our sense of self and existence, highlighting the distinction between how we perceive ourselves and how we truly exist in the world.
Challenging Conventional Truths and Sentience
The dialogue contemplates the significance of conventional truths and challenges the boundaries of sentience beyond organic beings. Jay discusses the extensional identity and intentional distinction proposed by Chandrakirti, exploring the potential for AI to engage in norm-governed interactions and contribute to moral considerations.
AI, Ethics, and Embodiment
The conversation shifts towards the ethical implications of AI and its potential sentience. Jay raises thought-provoking questions about the embodiment of AI and the expansion of moral concern to encompass artificial beings engaged in normative interactions. The dialogue underscores the evolving discourse on AI ethics and the intersection of consciousness and machine intelligence.
Philosophy of Mind and Humility
The discussion touches upon Wilfrid Sellars' critique of the 'myth of the given,' emphasizing the limitations of introspection and the constructed nature of our self-perceptions. Jay advocates for humility in philosophical inquiries and recommends meditating on insightful philosophical lines to deepen understanding and foster critical reflection.
This episode of the Wisdom Podcast, recorded live as a Wisdom Dharma Chat features special guest Jay Garfield. Jay Garfield is Doris Silbert Professor in the Humanities, Professor of Philosophy and Director of the Logic Program and of the Five College Tibetan Studies in India Program at Smith College, Professor in the graduate faculty of Philosophy at the University of Massachusetts, Professor of Philosophy at Melbourne University and Adjunct Professor of Philosophy at the Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies. He teaches and pursues research in the philosophy of mind, foundations of cognitive science, logic, philosophy of language, Buddhist philosophy, cross-cultural hermeneutics, theoretical and applied ethics, and epistemology.
During this episode, host Daniel Aitken and Jay discuss:
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