Hard Problem of Consciousness, the Self, and the Essence of Volition (Anil Seth)

The Michael Shermer Show # 282
Shermer and Seth discuss: “mind” and “consciousness” in context of understanding how molecules and matter give rise to such nonmaterial processes • controlled hallucinations • the hard problem of consciousness • the self and other minds • consciousness and self-awareness as emergent properties • Where does consciousness go during general anaesthesia? After death? • Star Trek TNG episode 138 “Ship in a Bottle”: a VR inside a VR that is indistinguishable from reality • Are we living in a simulation that itself is inside a simulation? • Does Deep Blue know that it beat the great Gary Kasparov in chess? • Does Watson know that it beat the great Ken Jennings in Jeopardy!? • Is Data on Star Trek sentient, conscious, and with feelings? • Can AI systems be conscious? • free will, determinism, compatibilism, and panpsychism.
Anil Seth is Professor of Cognitive and Computational Neuroscience at the University of Sussex, where he co-directs of the Sackler Centre for Consciousness Science. He is also Co-Director of the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research (CIFAR) Program on Brain, Mind, and Consciousness, and of the Leverhulme Doctoral Scholarship Programme: From Sensation and Perception to Awareness. Dr. Seth is Editor-in-Chief of Neuroscience of Consciousness (Oxford University Press) and he sits on the Editorial Board of Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B and on the Advisory Committee for 1907 Research and for Chile’s Congreso Futuro. His new book is Being You: A New Science of Consciousness.
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[@lamalama9717]

I had to have a general anaesthetic recently. It helped me overcome fear of death. The absoluteness of the experience, the lack of pain or effort all helped me think "This is as close to dead as I can get without being really dead and I'm OK with it".

[@jps0117]

Anil Seth is one of my favorite thinkers on this topic. Good to see this today!

[@KevinUchihaOG]

Someone should arange a discussion between Donald Hoffman and Anil Seth, would be super interesting to listen to.

[@fluxcapacitor3278]

Great discussion. A debate between Anil Seth and Bernardo Kastrup would be really interesting!

[@rogerfarias4506]

Awesome! I requested him a couple of times. Thanks very much for that.

[@thierryf2789]

A very good interview . I had read reviews of Seth’s book that are quite misleading and even the description of the book on Skype is very misleading, letting the reader think that Seth denies that there is such a thing as reality. He sets the matter straight so I’ll buy and read the book.

[@billscannell93]

May the 4th be with you. That just might be the nerdiest joke I've ever heard.😁I don't know why this podcast isn't more popular. I would rather hear Michael Shermer's thoughts about things than Joe Rogan's, honestly.

[@carlatteniese2]

Thank you Michael Shermer.

[@jinn_1891]

You have some absolute gems on your channel! Well done you :)

[@stanh24]

Wow!

[@PMKehoe]

Even where I disagree with Dr. Nail, he remains such an honourable and enriching man + mind, always… absolutely amazing pod episode! Thanks…

[@yanadegtyareva6640]

Thank you both. Fantastic conversation.

[@cheri238]

THIS IS WONDERFUL NEWS. So many New Therories. THANK YOU!!!

[@Rheologist]

Awesome. I literally just saw his TED talk and his podcast with Sam Harris

[@Alex-im4zi]

Flawless interview, no comments on that, got ''Being You' and I'm planning on reading it soon.

[@Seekthetruth3000]

Consciousness is a tough nut to crack. Thanks for the video.

[@BrunoBoncini]

So in resume that gentleman know that someday someone will know... very impressive.

[@luckyluciano6093]

YES!!!! U r the man!!

[@JesusGanga]

this Is wonderful

[@firewalking]

This Is wonderful ... thank you both. I wonder who is the author of the "Moonie image" images. Is that Arthur Shapiro? I can't find the source of this image :(