Closer To Truth

Professor Anna Abraham discusses the neuroscience of creativity, debunking myths about the right brain hemisphere's exclusive role. She explores the correlation between mental illness and creativity, decoding dopamine's impact while emphasizing the importance of embracing complexity and nuance in narratives. The conversation extends to poetic truth, AI in creativity, and encounters with ESP, providing a comprehensive view of the creative brain.

Author and journalist Robert Wright delves into topics such as social media's impact on society, sexual psychology, the concept of non-zero, and the future of humanity. He explores teleology in evolution, evolutionary psychology, global brain transformation, mindfulness in religion, existential questions, and the importance of critical thinking for humanity's future.

How do Buddhism, Chinese traditions, Hinduism and Shintoism address causality, consciousness, energies, God, ultimate reality? What is non- dualism? How is the world interconnected? How are metaphysics and morality related?   Featuring interviews with Venerable Dr. Yifa, Jay Garfield, Yujin Nagasawa, Swami Sarvapriyananda, Swami Medhananda, Franklin Perkins, and Helen De Cruz.   Get subscriber-only benefits like early access to episodes by registering for a free membership at closertotruth.com.

Philosopher Nick Bostrom discusses his new book, Deep Utopia: Life and Meaning in a Solved World, where he asks: In the face of incredible technological advances, what is the point of human existence? Will AI make our life and labor obsolete? In a "solved world," where would we find meaning and purpose?   Bostrom's book, Deep Utopia, is available for purchase now.   Nick Bostrom is a Professor at Oxford University, where he is the founding director of the Future of Humanity Institute. He is the world's most cited philosopher aged 50 or under.

Philosopher and cognitive scientist Paul Thagard discusses animal and artificial intelligence, comparing them to human capabilities. Topics include misinformation, science vs. pseudoscience, defining intelligence and consciousness, comparing animals and machines, ethical considerations in AI development, and exploring consciousness in humans, animals, and AI.

Belgian philosopher Helen De Cruz discusses her book 'Wonderstruck' and the transformative power of wonder and awe in navigating uncertainties. The podcast explores Descartes's views on emotions, neuroscience and magic, cultivating awe in religious and secular contexts, and the role of emotions in scientific decision-making. De Cruz emphasizes the importance of reclaiming awe in modern society and promoting diverse perspectives in science, philosophy, and religion.

Get 20% off tickets to this year's HowtheLightGetsIn Hay Festival with code CTT24 at checkout.   Philosophy of biology has two sides: the process of science and the content of biology. We address key questions. What is the nature of life? How does evolution work and what are its challenges? How to consider race, sex/gender, cognition, culture, morality, healthcare, religion, alien life, and alien intelligences.   Featuring interviews with Michael Ruse, Elliot Sober, Elisabeth Lloyd, Peter Godfrey-Smith, John Dupré, Paul Griffiths, Richard Dawkins, Josh Swamidass, Quayshawn Nigel Julian Spencer, Denis Noble, Alexander Rosenberg, Samir Okasha, Massimo Pigliucci, Alan Love, and Philip Kitcher.

The podcast explores the importance of including human experience in science, challenges in dark matter and galaxy formation, limits of scientific knowledge, humanity's relationship with Earth, blind spots in scientific perspectives, interpretations of quantum mechanics, and philosophical perspectives on the universe's origin.

This podcast explores the perplexing concept of consciousness and delves into novel explanations for its existence. Featuring interviews with prominent experts, it discusses the enigma of consciousness, its essential properties, the interplay with quantum mechanics, and controversial theories surrounding its nature.

The astonishing effectiveness of mathematics in the natural sciences, especially in physics, borders on the mysterious—and there seems no rational explanation. Our bafflement stimulates novel thinking. How to assess the meaning of math’s “unreasonable effectiveness"?   Featuring interviews with Michio Kaku, David Wallace, Michael Hopkins, Stuart Kauffman, Jim Holt, and Paul Davies.   Register for free on our website to receive subscriber-only exclusives: https://closertotruth.com/register/