Eric Schwitzgebel

Eric Schwitzgebel, a philosophy professor at UC Riverside and author of "A Theory of Jerks," dives into the bizarre realm of consciousness. He explores why our intuitions often fail when grappling with profound questions about reality, such as the provocative idea that the United States could be a conscious entity. Thought experiments like "supersquids" challenge listeners to rethink what consciousness might entail. Schwitzgebel emphasizes the intrinsic weirdness of existence and the importance of embracing it while probing deeper into the nature of consciousness itself.

Join Professor Eric Schwitzgebel, a philosopher from UC Riverside, as he dives into the intriguing realm of AI consciousness. He discusses philosophical theories like dualism and idealism, unpacking their implications for AI ethics. The conversation challenges our understanding of perception across species, including garden snails, and explores the moral responsibilities of AI developers. Schwitzgebel emphasizes the need for caution in AI design, raising thought-provoking questions about consciousness that resonate deeply in our evolving technological landscape.

Eric Schwitzgebel, a philosophy professor at UC Riverside and author of "The Weirdness of the World," dives into the bizarre aspects of reality. He explores the philosophical implications of quantum mechanics and consciousness, questioning the boundaries of human thought versus AI-generated insights. The discussion touches on ethical dilemmas relating to beliefs and behaviors, and emphasizes the oddities inherent in perceptions of existence. Schwitzgebel encourages embracing skepticism while marveling at the complexities of our universe.

Delving into the bizarre world of philosophy, Schwitzgebel challenges our comprehension with mind-boggling theories. From a conscious USA to infinite future possibilities, the podcast explores the thrill of contemplating the strangest philosophical scenarios.

Philosophy professor Eric Schwitzgebel, an expert in the philosophy of mind and author of 'The Weirdness of the World,' joins the conversation to dissect the peculiarities of metaphysical theories. He and the hosts explore the distinction between weirdness and bizarreness, questioning whether living in a simulation is any stranger than Plato's idealism. With insights on the strangeness of consciousness and the role of societal norms in philosophy, they probe deep into the unique ways humans perceive reality. Prepare for a mind-bending discussion!

Eric Schwitzgebel, a philosophy professor, delves into speculative topics on consciousness and the cosmos. He discusses the plausibility of multiple universes, the concept of living in a simulation, and the value of intellectual play in exploring complex ideas. Schwitzgebel challenges conventional theories and encourages playful consideration of philosophical mysteries.

Philosopher Eric Schwitzgebel discusses topics such as the possibility of digital consciousness, the unreliability of introspection, false beliefs about choices, overlapping minds, infinite effects of our actions, and the best science fiction on digital minds and AI.

Philosopher Eric Schwitzgebel discusses nested consciousness in the US, challenging intuitive thinking and exploring dream experiences. The conversation delves into emergent consciousness in ants, reliability of human intuition, and the moral significance of dreams, questioning the boundaries between wakefulness and dreams.

Join Professor Eric Schwitzgebel on a wild philosophical adventure delving into consciousness, multiple universes, and the weirdness of the world. Explore hypothetical scenarios challenging traditional thinking, from being a brain in a vat to living in a computer simulation. Dive into the complexities of measuring probabilities in relation to consciousness and cosmology, while also contemplating the attribution of consciousness to AI systems. Embrace intellectual play to broaden your understanding of the universe and expand your mind.

Eric Schwitzgebel, a philosophy professor at UC Riverside and author of 'A Theory of Jerks,' explores the fascinating interplay between ethics and behavior. He examines whether thinking about ethics leads to moral action and how ethicists measure up in real-life situations. The conversation uncovers why we react negatively to overly moral individuals and categorizes different types of 'jerks.' Schwitzgebel also discusses the gap between our ethical beliefs and actions, emphasizing self-reflection and the complexity of human moral judgments.