Closer To Truth

Philosopher Ned Block discusses perception, cognition, and consciousness in his latest book. Topics include the limitations of AI achieving consciousness, theories of consciousness, the non-conceptual aspect of perception, distinctions between phenomenal and access consciousness, challenges in higher order theories of consciousness, panpsychism, building machines with chemical neurotransmitters, and the concept of substituting biological elements with silicon chips.

Plant geneticist Daniel Chamovitz explores whether plants are sentient beings, discussing their ability to sense, communicate through volatile chemicals, respond to light for growth, exhibit memory, communicate for defense, demonstrate awareness, and respond to touch and sound stimuli. The podcast delves into plant perception, communication mechanisms, and adaptive behaviors, challenging traditional views on plant intelligence.

How do Buddhism, Chinese traditions, and Hinduism address the perennial problems of suffering, ethics, ritual and contemplative practices? Why is suffering so important in Buddhism? Why karma in Hinduism? Why systems of nature in Chinese traditions?   Featuring interviews with Helen De Cruz Jay Garfield, Swami Sarvapriyananda, Swami Medhananda, Franklin Perkins, and Yang Xioa.   Explore all CTT videos on Eastern Traditions.

Philosophers and physicists discuss the profound question of why there is something instead of nothing, exploring ideas like necessary existence, the role of value, consciousness creating the universe, and ultimate explanations like theism and materialism. Guests include John Leslie, Bede Rundle, Max Tegmark, Simon Blackburn, Quentin Smith, Victor Stenger, Peter van Inwagen, John Polkinghorne, Richard Swinburne, and Paul Davies.

Professor Brian Swimme discusses cosmogenesis, our cultural evolution, human consciousness, the Noosphere, and more.   Brian Thomas Swimme is a professor at the California Institute of Integral Studies in San Francisco where he teaches evolutionary cosmology to graduate students in the philosophy, cosmology, and consciousness program. His upcoming book, The Story of the Noosphere, will be published in October.   Register for members-only perks like early access to episodes with a free Closer To Truth account.

Two big ideas in biology: the evolution of species via mutation, fitness and natural selection; and the embryological development of individuals, from fertilized egg to whole organisms. How do these two big ideas—“evo-devo,” as it’s called—relate? What novel ideas emerge?   Featuring interviews with Alex Rosenberg, Alan Love, Rachell Powell, and Terrence Deacon.   You can watch all episodes in Season 23 on our website.

Spiritual leaders and philosophers discuss Eastern traditions' views on the human person, exploring concepts like consciousness, self, qi, and dualism. They delve into Hinduism's idea of the human person, Buddhist perspective on the self, and Chinese ontology of qi. The podcast contrasts beliefs in individual and cosmic selves, highlights universal salvation and multiple paths to salvation, and examines the illusion of a continuous self in Buddhism.

Why is matter solid? Why is there antimatter? Where do the sizes of atoms come from? Theoretical physicist and philosopher Sean Carroll cuts to the bare mathematical essence of our most profound theories, explaining every step in his new book, Quanta and Fields: The Biggest Ideas in the Universe. In this interview, Carroll uses the basics of quantum mechanics itself to explain measurement and entanglement before exploring how the world is really made of fields.   Carroll's book, Quanta and Fields, is available for purchase now.   Sean Carroll is Homewood Professor of Natural Philosophy at Johns Hopkins University, and Fractal Faculty at the Santa Fe Institute. He is host of the Mindscape podcast, and author of several bestselling books. He has been awarded prizes and fellowships by the National Science Foundation, NASA, the American Institute of Physics, the Royal Society of London, and many others.

Join Geoffrey West, Stuart Kauffman, V.S. Ramachandran, Antonio Damasio, and Michio Kaku as they discuss the fascinating world of scientific breakthroughs in biology. From complex adaptive systems to the debate between reductionism and holism, explore the dual nature of scientific understanding and the potential of molecular replicators in shaping the future of biology.

In honor of NASA's Black Hole Week (May 6-10, 2024), we're re-running our episode from Season 2 of Closer To Truth.   They warp space and time, squeeze matter to a vanishing point, and trap light so that it cannot escape. How can black holes perform such stupendous tricks, and what can we learn from them? Featuring interviews with Robert Laughlin, Peter Atkins, Francisco Ayala, and Philip Clayton.