Closer To Truth

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.

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.