Making Sense with Sam Harris cover image

Making Sense with Sam Harris

#374 — Consciousness and the Physical World

Jul 9, 2024
In this engaging discussion, neuroscientist Christof Koch, a prominent figure in consciousness studies, shares insights from his impressive career and collaborations, including with Francis Crick. He dives into topics like change blindness, the nature of consciousness, and the potential for conscious AI. Koch explores the philosophical implications of physicalism, psychedelic experiences, and Integrated Information Theory. The conversation raises captivating questions about reality, existence, and how consciousness intertwines with our understanding of the physical world.
42:07

Episode guests

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Quick takeaways

  • Consciousness studies challenge physicalism's explanatory limits through quantum phenomena.
  • Computational functionalism posits consciousness as an emergent property of information processing in neuroscience.

Deep dives

Exploring the Evolution of Consciousness Study

The conversation delves into Christoph Koch's journey as a neuroscientist, including his collaboration with Francis Crick. They discuss studies on the visual system, change blindness, and binocular rivalry, highlighting the significance of sleep and anesthesia for consciousness research. The focus is on identifying the neural correlates of consciousness and understanding brain functions related to conscious experiences.

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