Sean Carroll's Mindscape: Science, Society, Philosophy, Culture, Arts, and Ideas

311 | Annaka Harris on Whether Consciousness is Fundamental

Apr 14, 2025

Annaka Harris, author of 'Conscious: A Brief Guide to the Fundamental Mystery of the Mind,' dives into the profound intricacies of consciousness. She explores whether consciousness is a product of brain activity or a fundamental aspect of reality. The conversation touches on split-brain research, the relationship between memory and self, and even questions the potential for AI consciousness. Harris advocates for open dialogue in understanding these complex ideas, bridging neuroscience and philosophy to illuminate the mysteries of the mind.

01:09:58

Episode guests

Annaka Harris

AI Summary

AI Chapters

Episode notes

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Annaka Harris discusses the potential shift in understanding consciousness as a fundamental aspect of reality rather than merely an emergent property.

The podcast emphasizes the importance of open dialogues with diverse experts to enhance our understanding of consciousness and its implications.

Neuroscience reveals that our intuitions about consciousness may be illusions, suggesting a complex relationship between our conscious experiences and brain function.

Deep dives

The Role of Cooperation in Human Productivity

Cooperation among individuals with varying perspectives and skills is crucial for enhancing human productivity. Hiring the right people quickly is emphasized as a key factor in maintaining this collaborative environment. The podcast discusses the benefits of using effective hiring platforms like Indeed, which enhances visibility for job postings and attracts candidates more efficiently. This emphasis on rapid hiring ensures that organizations can leverage diverse talents to improve overall performance.

Intro

2min

Exploring the Nature of Consciousness

17min

Exploring the Fundamentals of Consciousness and Memory

4min

Exploring the Nature of Consciousness

13min

Exploring the Fundamental Nature of Consciousness and AI

4min

Consciousness: Fundamental or Emergent

23min

Exploring the Illusion of Self

11min

Questions about consciousness range from the precise and empirical -- what neurons fire when I have some particular experience -- to the deeply profound -- does consciousness emerge from matter, or does matter emerge from consciousness? While it might be straightforward to think that consciousness arises from the collective behavior of atoms in the brain, Annaka Harris and others argue that consciousness could be the fundamental stuff from which matter arises. She talks with a variety of experts in her new audio series, Lights On: How Understanding Consciousness Helps Us Understand the Universe.

Blog post with show notes and transcript: https://www.preposterousuniverse.com/podcast/2025/04/14/311-annaka-harris-on-whether-consciousness-is-fundamental/

Support Mindscape on Patreon.

Annaka Harris received a BFA from New York University. She is the author of Consciousness: A Brief Guide to the Fundamental Mystery of the Mind. She is a co-founder of Project Reason.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.