The Paradoxical Nature of Reality and Science in Neuroscience

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Reality and science are likely to have paradoxical holes, just like mathematics. The existence of undecidable physical properties and the incompleteness of games like Magic the Gathering suggest this. The neuroscience of consciousness, which involves self-reference, may also lead to paradoxes. It would be surprising if a complex system like reality didn't have such paradoxical elements.

Neuroscientist and author Erik Hoel talks about his book, The World Behind the World, with EconTalk's Russ Roberts. Is it possible to reconcile the seemingly subjective inner world of human experience with the seemingly objective outer world of observation, measurement, and science? Despite the promise of neuroscience, Hoel argues that this reconciliation is surprisingly difficult. Join Hoel and Roberts for a wide-ranging exploration of what it means to be human and the limits of science in helping us understand who we are.