#73 Why Materialism Can't Explain Consciousness - David Bentley Hart episode artwork

EPISODE · Feb 26, 2026 · 1H 21M

#73 Why Materialism Can't Explain Consciousness - David Bentley Hart

from The Uncertainty Podcast · host Miles K. Donahue

Theologian and philosopher David Bentley Hart explains the contours of his argument against materialism is his new book, All Things Are Full of Gods: The Mysteries of Mind and Life. We explore his idealist leanings, the claim that a mechanistic approach to nature could never explain consciousness, and the thesis that atman is brahman, that I am fundamentally identical to infinite consciousness.Video of this interview is available on YouTube.To support the channel, do please oh please consider donating, either via PayPal or Buy Me a Coffee.Follow me on X-formerly-Twitter.EPISODE CHAPTERS00:00:00 Introduction00:00:42 What do we mean by "mind"?00:09:24 Are you an idealist?00:15:21 Panpsychism00:28:18 Convince me that consciousness exists at all.00:46:09 Sean Carroll's case for naturalism, considered00:54:14 Is this just a type of "God of the gaps" reasoning?01:00:34 Do fine-tuning and cosmological arguments for God succeed?01:07:47 Is atman Brahman?01:12:50 Does this mean that I am God?01:19:34 What are you most uncertain of? Get full access to Miles K. Donahue at mileskdonahue.substack.com/subscribe

Episode metadata supplied by the publisher feed · Published Feb 26, 2026

Embed this episode

NOW PLAYING

#73 Why Materialism Can't Explain Consciousness - David Bentley Hart

0:00 1:21:14

No transcript for this episode yet

We transcribe on demand. Request one and we'll notify you when it's ready — usually under 10 minutes.

No similar episodes found.

No similar podcasts found.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is this episode of The Uncertainty Podcast?

This episode is 1 hour and 21 minutes long.

When was this The Uncertainty Podcast episode published?

This episode was published on February 26, 2026.

Can I download this The Uncertainty Podcast episode?

Yes. Use the download control on the episode player to save the publisher-provided media file.
URL copied to clipboard!