In 'Reality+: Virtual Worlds and the Problems of Philosophy', David J. Chalmers conducts a comprehensive analysis of the intersection between virtual reality, philosophy, and science. He argues that virtual worlds are not inferior to physical reality and that we can lead meaningful lives within them. The book addresses various philosophical questions, such as the nature of reality, the relation between mind and body, and the possibility of being in a simulated world. Chalmers uses virtual reality technology to offer new perspectives on long-standing philosophical issues, making the book a significant contribution to the fields of philosophy, science, and technology.
Published in 1890, 'The Principles of Psychology' is a two-volume work that lays the groundwork for understanding psychological phenomena through a scientific lens. William James discusses the relationship between mental processes and their underlying physical conditions, introducing key concepts such as the 'stream of consciousness,' the James–Lange theory of emotion, the importance of habit, and the concept of will. The book is based on James's classroom lessons and avoids metaphysical explanations, focusing instead on empirical observations and physiological processes. It has been influential in shaping the field of psychology and continues to be relevant today[4][5][2].
Published posthumously in 1953, 'Philosophical Investigations' is a seminal work by Ludwig Wittgenstein that challenges many of the ideas presented in his earlier work, 'Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus'. The book is divided into two parts and consists of short observations or 'remarks' that delve into topics such as the theory of language, language games, meaning, symbols, concepts, and categories. Wittgenstein argues that the meaning of a word is derived from its use within the context of a language-game, rejecting the idea that words gain meaning by referencing objects or mental representations. He emphasizes the importance of understanding language as a tool for communication and social interaction, rather than as a system for representing objective reality[2][4][5].
In this book, Sean Carroll argues that the crisis in physics since 1927, stemming from the gaps in quantum mechanics, can be resolved by accepting the Many-Worlds theory. He explains that every quantum event results in the creation of multiple worlds, each with different outcomes. Carroll tackles major objections to this theory and provides a lucid explanation of how it reconciles quantum mechanics with Einstein’s theory of relativity. The book challenges conventional notions of reality and offers a new understanding of our place in the universe and the nature of spacetime.
This document explores the concept of considerateness in the context of effective altruism, highlighting its benefits and costs. It argues that being considerate is crucial for communities focused on doing good, as it enhances cooperation and outcomes. However, it also acknowledges the potential costs of considerateness, such as lost opportunities and divided attention.
Eugene Wigner was a key figure in quantum mechanics, known for his thought experiment 'Wigner's Friend,' which explores the role of consciousness in wave function collapse. While there is no specific book titled 'Quantum Mechanics and the Collapse of the Wave Function,' Wigner's contributions to quantum theory are well-documented in his collected works and other publications.
David Rosenthal's higher-order thought theory posits that consciousness arises from our awareness of mental states through higher-order thoughts. This theory is part of his broader work on consciousness and mental qualities, which also includes the quality-space theory. His contributions are influential in the philosophy of mind and cognitive science.
Scott Aaronson's critique of Integrated Information Theory (IIT) focuses on its inability to distinguish between conscious and non-conscious systems, leading to counterintuitive conclusions. He argues that IIT predicts consciousness in systems that intuitively seem non-conscious, such as certain computational networks.
The title suggests a focus on moral empathy, the value of information, and ethical considerations related to infinity. However, without specific details, it's challenging to provide a detailed description.
Hilary Greaves' work focuses on moral cluelessness, which questions our ability to predict the long-term effects of our actions, and population ethics, which deals with ethical considerations regarding population size and structure. Her research aims to harness academic expertise to address these critical issues.
In 'Anarchy, State, and Utopia', Robert Nozick presents a rigorous argument in favor of a minimal state, limited to the narrow functions of protection against force, theft, fraud, and the enforcement of contracts. He critiques more extensive state activities as violations of individual rights and argues against more extreme views such as anarcho-capitalism. Nozick's work is influenced by John Locke, Immanuel Kant, and Friedrich Hayek, and it includes a theory of rights, a critique of John Rawls' 'A Theory of Justice', and a model of utopia. The book is a foundational text of libertarian thought and has been widely acclaimed for its philosophical richness and analytical argumentation[1][2][5].
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In this book, Nick Bostrom delves into the implications of creating superintelligence, which could surpass human intelligence in all domains. He discusses the potential dangers, such as the loss of human control over such powerful entities, and presents various strategies to ensure that superintelligences align with human values. The book examines the 'AI control problem' and the need to endow future machine intelligence with positive values to prevent existential risks[3][5][4].
In 'The Future of the Mind,' Dr. Michio Kaku delves into the latest advancements in neuroscience and physics, exploring how these fields are merging to create new technologies that were once the realm of science fiction. The book is divided into three parts: 'The Mind and Consciousness,' 'Mind Over Matter,' and 'Altered Consciousness.' Kaku discusses topics such as improving cognitive functions, the possibility of telepathy and telekinesis, and the future of artificial intelligence. He also presents a new theory of consciousness and its implications for understanding mental illness, AI, and even the possibility of alien consciousness. The book is filled with references to science fiction and real-world scientific breakthroughs, making it engaging for both science enthusiasts and fans of science fiction[2][4][5].
Thomas Nagel's essay "What Is It Like to Be a Bat?" is a seminal work in philosophy of mind. It explores the subjective nature of consciousness and the challenges of understanding other minds. Nagel argues that even with complete physical knowledge of a bat's brain, we cannot fully grasp its subjective experience. This essay highlights the limitations of reductionist approaches to consciousness. It continues to be a central text in discussions about qualia, subjective experience, and the mind-body problem.
Derek Parfit's "Reasons and Persons" is a landmark work in contemporary philosophy, profoundly impacting discussions on personal identity, ethics, and rationality. Parfit challenges traditional notions of the self, arguing that our sense of personal identity is less coherent than we assume. He explores the implications of this for our moral obligations, particularly concerning future generations. The book delves into the complexities of decision-making under uncertainty, examining how we should weigh our present interests against the potential consequences of our actions for the future. Parfit's rigorous analysis and thought-provoking arguments have had a lasting influence on various fields, including ethics, political philosophy, and decision theory. His work continues to stimulate debate and inspire new research.
Rebroadcast: this episode was originally released in December 2019.
What is it like to be you right now? You're seeing this text on the screen, smelling the coffee next to you, and feeling the warmth of the cup. There’s a lot going on in your head — your conscious experience.
Now imagine beings that are identical to humans, but for one thing: they lack this conscious experience. If you spill your coffee on them, they’ll jump like anyone else, but inside they'll feel no pain and have no thoughts: the lights are off.
The concept of these so-called 'philosophical zombies' was popularised by today’s guest — celebrated philosophy professor David Chalmers — in order to explore the nature of consciousness. In a forthcoming book he poses a classic 'trolley problem':
"Suppose you have a conscious human on one train track, and five non-conscious humanoid zombies on another. If you do nothing, a trolley will hit and kill the conscious human. If you flip a switch to redirect the trolley, you can save the conscious human, but in so doing kill the five non-conscious humanoid zombies. What should you do?"
Many people think you should divert the trolley, precisely because the lack of conscious experience means the moral status of the zombies is much reduced or absent entirely.
So, which features of consciousness qualify someone for moral consideration? One view is that the only conscious states that matter are those that have a positive or negative quality, like pleasure and suffering. But Dave’s intuitions are quite different.
Links to learn more, summary and full transcript.
Instead of zombies he asks us to consider 'Vulcans', who can see and hear and reflect on the world around them, but are incapable of experiencing pleasure or pain.
Now imagine a further trolley problem: suppose you have a normal human on one track, and five Vulcans on the other. Should you divert the trolley to kill the five Vulcans in order to save the human?
Dave firmly believes the answer is no, and if he's right, pleasure and suffering can’t be the only things required for moral status. The fact that Vulcans are conscious in other ways must matter in itself.
Dave is one of the world's top experts on the philosophy of consciousness. He helped return the question 'what is consciousness?' to the centre stage of philosophy with his 1996 book 'The Conscious Mind', which argued against then-dominant materialist theories of consciousness.
This comprehensive interview, at over four hours long, outlines each contemporary theory of consciousness, what they have going for them, and their likely ethical implications. Those theories span the full range from illusionism, the idea that consciousness is in some sense an 'illusion', to panpsychism, according to which it's a fundamental physical property present in all matter.
These questions are absolutely central for anyone who wants to build a positive future. If insects were conscious our treatment of them could already be an atrocity. If computer simulations of people will one day be conscious, how will we know, and how should we treat them? And what is it about consciousness that matters, if anything?
Dave Chalmers is probably the best person on the planet to ask these questions, and Rob & Arden cover this and much more over the course of what is both our longest ever episode, and our personal favourite so far.
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The 80,000 Hours Podcast is produced by Keiran Harris.