Hilary Lawson

Cognitive scientist Daniel Kahneman, psychologist Ellen Langer, and philosopher Hilary Lawson discuss perception bias, decision-making, truth, variability in biases, openness vs. structure, expert guidance, AI surpassing human intelligence, and the role of AI in future discourse.

The podcast features Suchitra Sebastian, Philip Goff, and Hilary Lawson discussing the mysteries of emergence. They explore the concept's role in understanding consciousness, free will, and life. Critics debate if emergence truly explains phenomena or if it's a misleading illusion. The discussion delves into quantum physics, superconductivity, differentiation, consciousness, and panpsychism, challenging traditional views and proposing new perspectives on reality.

Is it time to abandon the search for reality?Looking for a link we mentioned? It's here: https://linktr.ee/philosophyforourtimesNietzsche famously declared 'God is dead' in the late nineteenth century. Outspoken critic of philosophical realism Hilary Lawson observes that today we have replaced God with ‘reality’. He urges us to abandon this elusive and unattainable concept, offering an alternative view which embraces observation and reason while abandoning reality for good.There are thousands of big ideas to discover at IAI.tv – videos, articles, and courses waiting for you to explore. Find out more: https://iai.tv/podcast-offers?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=shownotes&utm_campaign=the-world-after-reality-hilary-lawsonSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Yoshua Bengio, a Turing Award-winning AI expert, shares insights alongside philosopher Hilary Lawson, physicist Sabine Hossenfelder, and evolutionary biochemist Nick Lane. They tackle the intriguing question of machine consciousness. The conversation critiques the Turing test and explores the complexities of replicating human thought in AI. They delve into the evolutionary significance of consciousness, the limitations of materialist views, and the moral implications of potentially conscious machines, ultimately questioning what it means to truly understand consciousness.

In a thought-provoking discussion, Philip Goff, a leading philosopher of mind from the University of Durham, explores panpsychism—the idea that consciousness is a fundamental aspect of reality. Joining him is Hilary Lawson, known for her post-realist views. They tackle the complexities of the mind-body problem, critique materialism, and debate whether consciousness is embedded in all matter. The conversation also intertwines science with spirituality, positing that panpsychism could reshape how we perceive our world and our identities.

What do memes really mean? Listen to find out!Looking for a link we mentioned? It's here: https://linktr.ee/philosophyforourtimesMemes are everywhere. But the term was coined only a few decades ago by Richard Dawkins to describe ideas and cultural behaviour that can be passed on from one individual to another. He argued that memes are a stage in evolution, and just as humans are carriers for genes, we are also carriers for memes. We don't so much choose our memes as they choose us. Its critics however argue that meme theory upends all human agency and thought. Is meme theory an exciting new framework that moves evolution forward to account for concepts and culture? Or is the very idea of a meme a misguided and reductionist account of what it is to be human?  Post-postmodern philosopher Hilary Lawson, Professor of Ethics and Technology at Hertie School Joanna Bryson and Professor of Philosophy at City College of New York Massimo Pigliucci discuss whether or not it is useful to think about sharing mimetic information like genetic information. Gunes Taylor hosts.There are thousands of big ideas to discover at IAI.tv – videos, articles, and courses waiting for you to explore. Find out more: https://iai.tv/podcast-offers?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=shownotes&utm_campaign=Memes-all-the-way-downSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Rebecca Roache, Simon Baron-Cohen, and Hilary Lawson discuss the ethics of lying and the value of honesty. They explore the relationship between honesty and other virtues, the role of lies in politics, and the impact of consistent lying on communication. They also delve into the concept of judgment and the importance of understanding different perspectives before labeling someone as a liar.

Is language a flawed prism standing in the way of our understanding of the world?Looking for a link we mentioned? It's here: https://linktr.ee/philosophyforourtimesFor much of the 20th century language was seen as central to our understanding of the world. 'The limits of my language mean the limits of my world', argued Wittgenstein. 'There is nothing outside of the text' claimed Derrida. But now it seems language is being jettisoned by philosophers as either containing puzzles that are insoluble, or irrelevant to the real issues facing us. The American philosopher, Hilary Putman, went as far as to say "the project to describe the relationship between language and the world is a shambles". Should we conclude that the puzzle of language and its relation to the world is not solvable? Or is it essential we crack the problem and not give up? Or should we focus, not on the medium but, on the message and return to an era before the so-called 'linguistic turn' when language was largely seen as a transparent vehicle of our beliefs?There are thousands of big ideas to discover at IAI.tv – videos, articles, and courses waiting for you to explore. Find out more: https://iai.tv/podcast-offers?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=shownotes&utm_campaign=a-world-by-any-other-nameSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Is metaphysics back in fashion? Or is philosophy getting increasingly lost?Looking for a link we mentioned? It's here: https://linktr.ee/philosophyforourtimesThe twentieth century began with a revolutionary new approach to philosophy. The great arguments about the nature of reality and human experience were deemed empty and meaningless. A new philosophical broom, in the form of analytic philosophy, claimed to sweep away vacuous grand theories and replace them with hard logic and analysis and a close attention to the meaning of the words. Yet, a hundred years on metaphysics is back. Theories of consciousness and the character of reality are once again the topic of debate.Should we welcome this return to stories about the ultimate character of the world? Or do they risk being empty, conveying little other than the prejudices and desires of their authors? Are grand metaphysical theories about the nature of reality and consciousness vital topics of debate or a set of fairy tales?Legendary Neurophilosophy pioneer Patricia Churchland, Closure theorist Hilary Lawson and analytic philosopher Galen Strawson lock horns over the future of metaphysics.There are thousands of big ideas to discover at IAI.tv – videos, articles, and courses waiting for you to explore. Find out more: https://iai.tv/podcast-offers?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=shownotes&utm_campaign=the-return-of-metaphysicsSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Join provocative mathematician Eric Weinstein, award-winning physicist Becky Parker, and post-post-realist philosopher Hilary Lawson as they tackle the relevance of metaphysics in today's scientific landscape. They debate whether science has eclipsed metaphysical inquiries and discuss the importance of creativity in scientific education. The conversation highlights the allure of hands-on discovery and the need for epistemic humility while exploring contentious topics like string theory. Their insights offer a fresh take on the intersection of belief and empirical truth.