Terrence Deacon

Terrence Deacon, a neuroanthropologist from Harvard, dives into the intriguing origins of life and consciousness. He explores the paradoxes essential to life and self-destructive processes that define living systems. Deacon discusses the symbol grounding problem in AI and how communication transcends mere word patterns. He examines entropic processes, revealing how order and chaos coexist, and investigates the evolution of sentience in plants. Their adaptive behaviors raise profound questions about consciousness and the very essence of existence.

Send us a textNick talks to biological anthropologist & neuroscientist Dr. Terrence Deacon, who is a professor of biological anthropologist at UC-Berkeley and a leading thinker on the evolution of language, consciousness and human cognition. They discuss: how end-directed systems, such as life, can emerge from non-life; how complexity evolves once life originates; the origins of sentience and a sense of self; the evolution of the nervous system and consciousness; information, value, and "aboutness" in the universe; and more.Support the showAll episodes, show notes, transcripts, and more at the M&M Substack Affiliates: KetoCitra—Ketone body BHB + potassium, calcium & magnesium, formulated with kidney health in mind. Use code MIND20 for 20% off any subscription (cancel anytime) Lumen device to optimize your metabolism for weight loss or athletic performance. Code MIND for 10% off Readwise: Organize and share what you read. 60 days FREE through link SiPhox Health—Affordable at-home blood testing. Key health markers, visualized & explained. Code TRIKOMES for a 20% discount. MASA Chips—delicious tortilla chips made from organic corn & grass-fed beef tallow. No seed oils or artificial ingredients. Code MIND for 20% off For all the ways you can support my efforts

Biological anthropologist and cognitive scientist Terrence Deacon discusses language evolution, symbolic cognition, brain development, and the origin of the human mind in a conversation focusing on ideas from his book 'The Symbolic Species: The Co-Evolution of Language and the Brain.' Topics include the difference between human language and animal communication, early symbolic communication resembling ritualistic behaviors, the parallels between language and mathematics, brain size and body size relationship in mammals, the role of the prefrontal cortex in executive functions, and the evolution of language in Neanderthals.

Terrence Deacon, a leading figure in evolutionary biology from UC Berkeley, and Michael Levin, a pioneering developmental biologist from Tufts, team up for an enlightening conversation. They explore the origin of life through complex systems, discussing thermodynamics, memory, and the interplay of metabolism and cognition. Insights into the 'lazy gene hypothesis' and the concept of inverse Darwinism spark intriguing thoughts on evolution. The duo also delves into bioelectric patterns in xenobots and the philosophical nuances of purpose, making for a thought-provoking exchange.

In this discussion, Terrence Deacon, a prominent anthropologist from UC Berkeley, shares insights on the evolution of human cognition. He dives into the mind-body conundrum, exploring the significance of presence and absence in life. Deacon critiques traditional computational views of thought and examines the role of constraints in the emergence of life. He also discusses the intricate link between language, consciousness, and evolution, ultimately offering a fresh perspective on the dynamic interplay of complexity and simplicity in cognitive processes.