The Michael Shermer Show
328. Paul Bloom — Psych: The Story of the Human Mind
Episode guests
Podcast summary created with Snipd AI
Quick takeaways
- The complexity of the brain and its relationship to consciousness remains a mystery that challenges our understanding of the mind.
- Emotions play a significant role in human behavior and decision-making, acting as heuristics or guides for our actions.
- Conspiracy theories often serve social functions and align with group identities rather than being solely focused on objective truth.
- The question of free will versus determinism poses a philosophical dilemma, as our subjective experience of choice contrasts with the scientific worldview.
- The podcast explores various aspects of perception, memory, identity, and the nature of reality.
Deep dives
The Complexity of the Mind and Consciousness
Understanding how the mind works and how consciousness arises from the brain remains a challenging and unanswered question. While we know that the brain is responsible for our thoughts and experiences, the intricacies of how neurons transmit signals and give rise to subjective experiences are not yet fully understood. Despite our limited understanding, the existence of intelligent systems like AI and their ability to perform complex tasks suggests that physical systems can exhibit intelligent behavior. However, the hard problem of consciousness persists in determining how the physical processes of the brain give rise to subjective experiences and the feeling of being conscious.
The Role of Emotions and their Connection to Rationality
Emotions play a vital role in human behavior, decision-making, and social interactions. While they are often seen as separate from rationality, emotions can serve as heuristics or proxies for guiding our actions. They can influence our judgments, preferences, and motivations without conscious deliberation. Emotions, like attraction or disgust, can lead us to certain behaviors or actions without conscious evaluation of the information. Recognizing the intelligence inherent in emotions can help us understand the complexity of human decision-making and highlight that rationality is not solely based on objective truth, but also shaped by our emotional experiences and social context.
Understanding Conspiracy Theories and Beliefs
Conspiracy theories often serve as proxies for other underlying beliefs or social motivations and are not solely focused on objective truth. For many individuals, conspiracy theories fulfill social functions and can be aligned with group identities or values rather than serving as literal truth claims. They may provide a way to express allegiance or opposition to certain groups or ideologies, offer explanations for events that are consistent with existing beliefs, or provide a sense of meaning and purpose. Understanding the role of these beliefs in individuals' lives requires acknowledging the complex interplay between rationality, beliefs, motivations, and social dynamics.
The Paradox of Free Will and Determinism
The question of free will and determinism continues to challenge our understanding of human behavior. While the scientific worldview suggests that behavior is determined by the current conditions of the universe, individuals hold a deep-seated belief in their ability to make choices and exercise volition. Reconciling these perspectives poses a dilemma, as our subjective experience of choice contrasts with the view that our actions are entirely predictable. Some theorists suggest that freedom can be understood as degrees of freedom, where individuals may have more or less agency depending on their physiological predispositions, external coercion, or internal motivations. The question of free will remains a complex and unsolved philosophical mystery.
The Influence of Undue Influence and Cults
The podcast explores the concept of undue influence and cults, as discussed with cult expert Steve Hasen. While not everyone may be part of a cult, there is a question of undue influence and how it can lead to actions and beliefs that individuals may not have independently chosen. Examples such as the Manson family illustrate the power of influence. However, determining who is responsible can be challenging, especially in cases like the January 6th insurrection, where various factors contribute to individuals' actions.
The Nature of Perception and Reality
The podcast delves into the nature of perception and reality, discussing Donald Hoffman's theory of perception as well as philosophical questions surrounding the nature of reality. While our perceptions may not be a perfect representation of the world, they serve the purpose of functioning and allowing us to navigate our surroundings. The success of our scientific advancements also suggests that our perception of reality is indeed based on actual physical phenomena.
Memory, Self, and the Complexity of Identity
The podcast explores the intricate nature of memory and the construction of self. Memories can be flawed and influenced by various factors, and our perceptions of the past can change over time. The discussion also touches on the philosophy of self, acknowledging that while there may not be a single localized self in the brain, individual identity exists and can be shaped by both genetics and environmental factors. The complexity of memory raises questions about the nature of reality and the nature of our own identities.
The concept of identity and personal transformation
The podcast discusses the question of how much a person can change before they are no longer their 'original' self. The example of severe Alzheimer's and dementia is used to illustrate how radical changes in memory, personality, and intelligence can lead to the perception that the person has fundamentally changed and is no longer themselves. The speaker also ponders on the idea of losing episodic memory while still maintaining a sense of self, and how personality changes can impact the continuity of one's identity.
The complexity of gender identity and trans experiences
The podcast explores the concept of gender identity and the controversy surrounding the question of being 'in the wrong body'. The speaker discusses the difference between early onset gender dysphoria and social age onset, highlighting that some cases emerge from an early age and are deeply felt by individuals. The analogy of individuals wanting to amputate a healthy limb, believing it does not belong to their sense of self, is also presented to help understand the mismatch individuals with gender dysphoria experience. The speaker suggests that intervention to align the body with the person's gender can be seen as a compassionate response to their suffering.
How does the brain — a three-pound gelatinous mass — give rise to intelligence and conscious experience? Was Freud right that we are all plagued by forbidden sexual desires? What is the function of emotions such as disgust, gratitude, and shame? Renowned psychologist Paul Bloom answers these questions and many more in Psych, his riveting new book about the science of the mind.
Shermer and Bloom discuss: neuroscience • human nature • religion • souls • consciousness • Freud • sex and desire • Skinner • development • language • perception • memory • rationality • appetites • differences and disorders • the good life • happiness.
Paul Bloom is Professor of Psychology at the University of Toronto, and the Brooks and Suzanne Ragen Professor Emeritus of Psychology at Yale University. His research explores the psychology of morality, identity, and pleasure. Bloom is the recipient of multiple awards and honors, including, most recently, the million-dollar Klaus J. Jacobs Research Prize. He has written for scientific journals such as Natureand Science, and for the New York Times, the New Yorker, and the Atlantic Monthly. He is the author or editor of eight books, including Against Empathy, Just Babies, How Pleasure Works, Descartes’ Baby, The Sweet Spot, and Psych: The Story of the Human Mind.
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