Within Reason #104 Annaka Harris - Is Consciousness Fundamental?
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May 4, 2025 
Annaka Harris, an American writer known for her insights on neuroscience and consciousness, dives deep into the essence of consciousness. She discusses the transformative view that consciousness may not just arise from complex brain functions but could be fundamental to the universe. Through intriguing examples like anesthesia awareness and the complexities of self-awareness, Annaka challenges traditional notions of identity and reality. She also explores groundbreaking ideas like panpsychism, suggesting consciousness might exist in simple entities, reshaping our understanding of existence.
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Consciousness as Fundamental Feature
- Annaka Harris shifted from thinking consciousness emerges in complex brains to consciousness being fundamental in the universe.
- She suggests consciousness is like gravity, a basic feature, not dependent on complexity.
Limits of Behavioral Evidence
- Consciousness cannot be conclusively detected from outside behavior alone.
- Split brain and anesthesia awareness cases challenge assumptions about behavior and consciousness correlation.
Split Brain Patient Confabulation
- In split brain patients, one hemisphere may act independently without the other hemisphere’s awareness.
- The speaking hemisphere often confabulates reasons for actions it didn’t initiate.
