Erik Hoel

In this intriguing conversation, Erik Hoel, a neuroscientist and former Tufts professor, discusses the intricacies of moral truth and its relevance to effective altruism. He explores the challenges of moral philosophy in a complex world and critiques the limitations of consequentialism. The ethical implications of AI are dissected, questioning whether machine consciousness could reshape our understanding of morality. Hoel also highlights the perils of moral fanaticism and the importance of balancing emotions and rationality in ethical decision-making.

In a heartfelt conversation, neuroscientist Erik Hoel shares his insights on the transformative power of parenting. He argues that becoming a parent can enhance emotional richness and counteract jadedness. Hoel discusses how different parenting styles shape children's personalities and dives into the world of children's literature, sharing both beloved and critiqued classics. The challenges of elite education and concerns around homeschooling are also examined, emphasizing the impact of societal pressures on modern parents and their pursuit of meaning.

In this discussion, Erik Hoel, a research professor and theoretical neuroscientist at Tufts University, dives deep into the mysteries of consciousness and free will. He explores the latest scientific discoveries that could reshape our understanding of the self, while addressing the complexities of expressing inner thoughts. Hoel also critiques historical approaches to consciousness research, presents theories like the bicameral mind, and challenges conventional views on free will, urging a fresh perspective in light of chaotic influences on decision-making.

Erik Hoel joins Ash Milton to discuss the current state of education, how it succeeded aristocratic tutoring, and what it means for progress. Up until the creation of mass schooling in the nineteenth century, tutelage was the most common form of education. Only aristocrats were able to afford this, and with the disappearance of aristocratic society so too has tutoring fallen out of practice. But its advantages are what enabled great works of genius to emerge over the past three hundred years. Scientists like Bertrand Russell, William James, and Ludwig Wittgenstein were all given individual instruction at a young age, which was a key part of their success. Erik and Ash discuss the history of the practice and if there is a viable future for it.    Erik Hoel is a research assistant professor at Tufts University. He recently published his debut novel, and his other writing can be found at his Substack.

In this engaging conversation, neuroscientist and writer Erik Hoel unpacks the looming threat of artificial intelligence to humanity. He argues that advanced AI systems can be misaligned with human values, raising existential concerns. Hoel emphasizes the need for public regulation, drawing parallels to climate change in terms of risk and oversight. He also explores unpredictable AI outputs and the dangers posed by AI developing unforeseen motivations, urging society to treat this technology with caution as it evolves.

In this engaging discussion, Erik Hoel, an essayist, neuroscientist, and novelist, dives into the rich world of pronatalism. He addresses how parents shape values and behaviors, emphasizing both the genetic and cultural influences that play a role in child development. The conversation tackles the complex nature vs. nurture debate while exploring the challenges of measuring personality traits. Hoel also reflects on the quest for meaning in life and how parenting reshapes priorities, delivering deep insights on family dynamics.

Join neuroscientist and AI researcher Erik Hoel as he discusses the intriguing connection between dreams, AI, and the future of education. Explore the idea of dreams as a way to prevent cognitive overfitting and the decline of geniuses. Discover the potential for AI to revive one-on-one tutoring and reshape our understanding of consciousness.

Erik Hoel, expert in consciousness studies, discusses 'The Consciousness Winter' with host Danny Crichton. They explore the subjective nature of consciousness, debates on consciousness' impact on culture, and various theories and thinkers on consciousness, including Integrated Information Theory.

Neuroscientist Erik Hoel discusses the brain's role in creating conscious experiences. Topics include: the search for a scientific theory of consciousness, the integration of the hemispheres hypothesis, comparing encounters in the Odyssey and Ulysses, and the debate on free will with concepts from chaos theory and causal emergence.

Erik Hoel, host of The Intrinsic Perspective, discusses the history and neglect of studying consciousness in neuroscience, the challenges of understanding neuroscience and consciousness, the concept of the brain as modular, and the future of writing online.