Evan Thompson

Renowned cognitive scientist and philosopher Evan Thompson explores the symbiosis of meditation, cognitive science, and philosophy. Topics include the experiential depth revealed by meditative states, transformative social aspects of meditation, philosophical views on death, meditation's role in personal development and intellectual growth, and its impact on philosophical thought.

Evan Thompson, a professor of philosophy at the University of British Columbia and author of "Why I Am Not a Buddhist," dives into the complexities of Buddhism's Western interpretation. He critiques the notion of Buddhist exceptionalism and discusses the intertwining of modernism and mindfulness. The conversation challenges the individualism often seen in contemporary spiritual practices, advocating for a collective approach. Thompson also reflects on the role of science in supporting or contradicting traditional teachings. Discover the rich tapestry of insights this dialogue unveils!

Philosopher Evan Thompson, renowned for his insights on embodied cognition, discusses his co-authored work 'The Blind Spot'. He explores how idealized scientific models distort our understanding of reality and the interconnectedness of all living things. The conversation highlights the urgent need for integrating arts and humanities within STEM to navigate ecological crises. Topics include the mind-body connection, the limitations of technology in grasping human experience, and the role of love and personal narratives in the pursuit of knowledge.

Evan Thompson, a philosopher at the University of British Columbia and author of 'The Blind Spot', engages in a deep dialogue about consciousness and cognition. The conversation critiques AI’s understanding of language, emphasizing the importance of ethical considerations in technology. They explore organisms as autonomous agents, challenging mechanistic views of life. The discussion integrates perspectives from cognitive science and Asian philosophy to highlight the intricate relationship between consciousness, awareness, and embodiment, urging a holistic approach to understanding human experience.

Join Evan Thompson, a writer and philosophy professor at the University of British Columbia, as he critiques the concepts of 'Buddhist exceptionalism' and 'neural Buddhism.' He unpacks why Buddhism captivates the Western world and challenges the trend of 'McMindfulness.' Thompson advocates for a cosmopolitan approach to understand Buddhism, bridging it with science while emphasizing the importance of community and collective suffering. Discover his insights on how mindfulness can intersect with social justice and reshape our understanding of the self.

The idea that meditation is a "mind science" is popular, but in this interview Canadian philosopher Evan Thompson argues that this claim does not stand up to either scientific or philosophical scrutiny. As one of the pioneers of the Embodied Cognition movement Thompson reminds us that the Mind is not restricted to the Brain and we must also consider how other recent discoveries in neuroscience fail to support the claim that meditation provides neutral scientific insight into how the Mind really works. Links and References: Evan Thompson's website Why I am not a Buddhist by Evan Thompson Cosmopolitanism: Ethics in a World of Strangers by Kwame Anthony Appiah The Embodied Mind: Cognitive Science and Human Experience by Francisco J. Varela, Evan T. Thompson, Eleanor Rosch Mind in Life: Biology, Phenomenology, and the Sciences of Mind by Evan Thompson discussed in BS 198 Waking, Dreaming, Being: Self and Consciousness in Neuroscience, Meditation, and Philosophy by Evan Thompson discussed in BS 115 Please visit http://brainsciencepodcast.com for additional references and episode transcripts.   Please Visit Our Sponsors: TextExpander at textexpander.com/podcast BetterHelp at betterhelp.com/GINGER MasterClass at MasterClass.com/ginger Announcements: Please take a few minutes to complete this audience survey. Contact Dr. Campbell if you are interested a listener meet-up or sponsoring a talk by Dr. Campbell during her trip to Europe in April 2023. Get free gift "5 Things You Need to Know about YOUR Brain when you sign up for the free Brain ScienceNewsletter to get show notes automatically every month. You can also text brainscience to 55444 to sign up. Check out the Brain Science podcast channel on YouTube Support Brain Science by buying Are You Sure? The Unconscious Origins of Certainty by Virginia "Ginger" Campbell, MD. (Autographed copies are available) Check out the free Brain Science Mobile app for iOS, Android, and Windows. (It's a great way to get both new episodes and premium content.) Learn more ways to support Brain Science at http://brainsciencepodcast.com/donations Connect on Social Media: Twitter: @docartemis Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/brainsciencepodcast Contact Dr. Campbell: Email: brainsciencepodcast@gmail.com

This month's episode of Brain Science is a free encore playing of my interview with Evan Thompson about his book Mind in Life: Biology, Phenomenology, and the Sciences of Mind. We discuss how the enactive approach to embodied cognition offers potential clues to the mystery of how the brain can generate Consciousness. A free episode transcript is also available. This is the 2nd of two free encore episodes that are being shared to give listeners a taste of the diverse content available to Premium subscribers. Premium subscribers have access to over 100 additional episodes of Brain Science along with episode transcripts. The embodied cognition movement is an approach within cognitive neuroscience that includes philosophers, neuroscientists, psychologists and computer scientists. The key idea is that cognition, which includes thinking and decision-making, is inseparable from embodiment. This is not just because it requires sensory inputs to the brain, but also because moving in the world is a key component. Thus embodied cognition does not see this as a passive input/output process, but as something that requires constant interaction with the world via the body. Links and References: Mind in Life: Biology, Phenomenology, and the Sciences of Mind by Evan Thompson The Embodied Mind: Cognitive Science and Human Experience by Francisco J. Varela, Evan T. Thompson, Eleanor Rosch Waking, Dreaming, Being: Self and Consciousness in Neuroscience, Meditation, and Philosophy by Evan Thompson (follow-up interview BSP 115) Evan Thompson, PhD, University of British Columbia Please visit http://brainsciencepodcast.com for additional references and episode transcripts. Please Visit Our Sponsors: TextExpander at textexpander.com/podcast Wren at wren.co/brainscience Announcements: Submit audio feedback to be part of BS 200! Please visit brainsciencepodcast.com and let me know what you think of the updated website. Get free gift "5 Things You Need to Know about YOUR Brain when you sign up for the free Brain Science Newsletter to get show notes automatically every month. You can also text brainscience to 55444 to sign up. Check out the Brain Science podcast channel on YouTube  Support Brain Science by buying Are You Sure? The Unconscious Origins of Certainty by Virginia "Ginger" Campbell, MD. (Autographed copies are available) Check out the free Brain Science Mobile app for iOS, Android, and Windows. (It's a great way to get both new episodes and premium content.) Learn more ways to support Brain Science at http://brainsciencepodcast.com/donations Connect on Social Media: Twitter: @docartemis Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/brainsciencepodcast Contact Dr. Campbell: Email: brainsciencepodcast@gmail.com

In this discussion, Evan Thompson, a Professor of Philosophy at the University of British Columbia and a noted scholar in cognitive science and Asian philosophy, dives into the synergy between cognition and the body. He explores the concept of autopoiesis and its implications for understanding consciousness. The conversation delves into the crossover between Buddhist philosophy and cognitive science, advocating for a holistic view that transcends objective and subjective divides. Thompson also critiques the commercialization of meditation while emphasizing the importance of community in mental well-being.

Philosopher Evan Thompson and Dr. John Vervaeke discuss cognitive science, Asian philosophy, and mystical insights. They explore the essence of lived experience, relevance realization, and the nature of reality. The conversation delves into the crisis of meaning, performative contradictions in philosophy, uncovering the blind spot in perception, extended naturalism, modes of knowing, and restoring connection to the natural world.

Evan Thompson, professor of philosophy, discusses the importance of tolerating complexity in science, alternative epistemologies, philosophy as a way of life, and visions for Mind & Life Europe. The podcast explores integrating human experience into scientific inquiry, embracing interdisciplinary ideas, and philosophical dimensions of death and existential inquiry.