Mind-Body Solution Susan Blackmore: A New Approach to Consciousness from the Perspective of a Panpsychism of Models
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Apr 3, 2025 
In this engaging discussion, Susan Blackmore, a thought leader on consciousness and author, shares her insights on the evolving nature of consciousness and the philosophical implications of panpsychism. She explores how mental models influence our perception and challenges traditional views of reality. Delving into altered states induced by meditation and psychedelics, she uncovers their transformative potential. Blackmore also reflects on the exciting interplay between AI and cosmopsychism, offering a provocative glimpse into the future of consciousness.
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Consciousness as Active Mental Models
- Consciousness is not about being the physical object, but about the brain's active mental models.
- We experience the world through models; consciousness is "the model I'm in here looking out."
All Models Have Consciousness
- Every active mental model has "something it's like to be" that model.
- We are only conscious of models included in our self-model, creating an illusion of singular consciousness.
Panpsychism of Models Concept
- Susan proposes a new panpsychism: 'panpsychism of models,' where consciousness is tied to active mental models in predictive systems.
- This differs from traditional panpsychism that attributes consciousness to all physical entities down to atoms.
