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Peter Godfrey-Smith

Philosopher known for work on the evolution of the mind. Explores how nervous systems contribute to conscious experience and the challenges of replicating this in uploads.

Top 5 podcasts with Peter Godfrey-Smith

Ranked by the Snipd community
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182 snips
May 23, 2025 • 3h 35min

Beyond human minds: The bewildering frontier of consciousness in insects, AI, and more

Megan Barrett, an insect neurobiologist, discusses the evolutionary case for insect sentience. Jeff Sebo, specializing in ethics, explores moral considerations for AI systems. David Chalmers contemplates the feasibility of artificial consciousness, while Bob Fischer examines the moral weight of animals like chickens. Cameron Meyer Shorb highlights the suffering of wild animals, and Jonathan Birch warns about the nuances of newborn pain. The conversation challenges our understanding of consciousness across species and prompts deep questions about our moral responsibilities.
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47 snips
Oct 3, 2024 • 1h 25min

#203 – Peter Godfrey-Smith on interfering with wild nature, accepting death, and the origin of complex civilisation

Peter Godfrey-Smith, a philosophy professor and bestselling author, discusses the intricate relationship between consciousness, wild nature, and the moral dilemmas of human intervention. He dives into why octopuses and dolphins haven't created complex civilizations despite their intelligence. The conversation also explores animal ethics, the struggle for existence in the wild, and the value of cultural knowledge in human advancement. Godfrey-Smith highlights how historical events shape evolution, questioning our understanding of life's complexities.
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43 snips
Sep 11, 2023 • 1h 28min

249 | Peter Godfrey-Smith on Sentience and Octopus Minds

In this discussion, Peter Godfrey-Smith, a philosopher of science and octopus intelligence expert, dives into the fascinating world of cephalopods. He explores how studying octopus cognition helps us rethink concepts of sentience and consciousness across species. The conversation reveals the unique problem-solving skills of octopuses, their remarkable nervous systems, and the evolutionary significance of their advanced behaviors. Godfrey-Smith challenges traditional views of intelligence and emphasizes the diversity of conscious experience in the animal kingdom.
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18 snips
Jul 22, 2025 • 21min

How other species challenge our idea of consciousness | Peter Godfrey-Smith

In this conversation, Peter Godfrey-Smith, a philosopher of science and expert on consciousness, explores how different species, especially octopuses, inform our understanding of the mind. He emphasizes that consciousness is not a sudden leap but a gradual evolution marked by complex sensory interactions. The discussion covers animal ethics, the limits of physicalism, and the unique cognitive abilities of octopuses, such as tool use. Godfrey-Smith argues that studying these fascinating creatures reshapes our perception of consciousness across the animal kingdom.
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4 snips
Jan 14, 2025 • 34min

68 | Peter Godfrey-Smith and middle class science

Peter Godfrey-Smith, a renowned Professor of Philosophy of Science at the University of Sydney, dives into the complex interplay between creativity in science and philosophy. He discusses how scientists operate within structured paradigms while philosophers have more freedom. The conversation highlights the role of 'middle-class science'—independent labs that foster innovation—illustrated by breakthroughs like CRISPR. Peter also draws a captivating parallel between the transition of night to day and the evolution of scientific thought, reminiscent of Händel's aria.

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