EPISODE · Jan 18, 2022 · 3H 4M
Joscha Bach and John Vervaeke: Mind, Idealism, and Computation
from Theories of Everything with Curt Jaimungal · host Theories of Everything
Joscha Bach and John Vervaeke explore the nature of mind, idealism, consciousness, and computation, debating the limits of science and the reality of simulation. They dissect qualia, dualism, and the meaning crisis while questioning ontology and the foundations of physics.0:00 Introduction4:26 Behind the scenes conversation5:48 Joscha on John's work6:52 John on Joscha's work8:58 Defining consciousness, sentience, mind, self17:39 Primary qualia vs experience of qualia25:00 Science vs Joscha's simulated consciousness model34:55 Solution to Dualism35:52 Psychedelic trips mistaken for idealism40:55 Not experiencing the physical world42:30 Skepticism and solipsism problem52:11 What is rationality?55:17 Mysterianism and epistemic boundedness1:00:38 Boundaries of consciousness1:07:08 What is real? Ontology discussion1:22:15 Simulation and Plato's cave1:27:25 Gods as personality archetypes1:29:32 Physics less real than the Forms1:43:58 Academia undervalues dialogue1:57:57 Is truth always good?2:01:45 The meaning crisis2:11:55 Past views changed2:16:17 Consciousness as a government2:21:16 Donald Hoffman: Is spacetime fundamental?2:30:40 Sad Face: Chinese room thought experiment2:36:08 Software as physical law2:43:45 Zanthius: Why should simulation feel anything?2:52:43 Anil Seth: Is consciousness substrate independent?2:55:31 Curt answers audience questionsSPONSORS:- The Anagoge Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/AnagogePodcast- Brilliant: 20% off at https://brilliant.org/TOE- Algo Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9IfRw1QaTglRoX0sN11AQQ- Algo website: https://www.algo.com/RESOURCES:- YouTube link: https://youtu.be/rK7ux_JhHM4- Patreon: https://patreon.com/curtjaimungal- Crypto: https://nowpayments.io/donation/TOE- PayPal: https://tinyurl.com/paypalTOE- Twitter: https://twitter.com/TOEwithCurt- Discord Invite: https://discord.com/invite/kBcnfNVwqs- iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/better-left-unsaid-with-curt-jaimungal/id1521758802- Pandora: https://pdora.co/33b9lfP- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4gL14b92xAErofYQA7bU4e- Subreddit r/TheoriesOfEverything: https://reddit.com/r/theoriesofeverything- John Vervaeke's Meaning Crisis series: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLND1JCRq8Vuh3f0P5qjrSdb5eC1ZfZwWJ- Joscha Bach's Twitter: https://twitter.com/Plinz- Better Left Unsaid film: http://betterleftunsaidfilm.com Theories of Everything with Curt Jaimungal features long-form, technically detailed interviews with leading researchers in physics, mathematics, consciousness, and philosophy, exploring topics at the level of active research. For academics, graduate students, and anyone seeking depth beyond popular science. SPONSOR: I personally subscribe to The Economist. TOE listeners get 35% off the annual subscription. No other podcast has this! https://economist.com/TOE FOLLOW: Substack | Spotify | YouTube | Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
What this episode covers
Joscha Bach and John Vervaeke explore the nature of mind, idealism, consciousness, and computation, debating the limits of science and the reality of simulation. They dissect qualia, dualism, and the meaning crisis while questioning ontology and the foundations of physics.0:00 Introduction4:26 Behind the scenes conversation5:48 Joscha on John's work6:52 John on Joscha's work8:58 Defining consciousness, sentience, mind, self17:39 Primary qualia vs experience of qualia25:00 Science vs Joscha's simulated consciousness model34:55 Solution to Dualism35:52 Psychedelic trips mistaken for idealism40:55 Not experiencing the physical world42:30 Skepticism and solipsism problem52:11 What is rationality?55:17 Mysterianism and epistemic boundedness1:00:38 Boundaries of consciousness1:07:08 What is real? Ontology discussion1:22:15 Simulation and Plato's cave1:27:25 Gods as personality archetypes1:29:32 Physics less real than the Forms1:43:58 Academia undervalues dialogue1:57:57 Is truth always good?2:01:45 The meaning crisis2:11:55 Past views changed2:16:17 Consciousness as a government2:21:16 Donald Hoffman: Is spacetime fundamental?2:30:40 Sad Face: Chinese room thought experiment2:36:08 Software as physical law2:43:45 Zanthius: Why should simulation feel anything?2:52:43 Anil Seth: Is consciousness substrate independent?2:55:31 Curt answers audience questionsSPONSORS:- The Anagoge Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/AnagogePodcast- Brilliant: 20% off at https://brilliant.org/TOE- Algo Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9IfRw1QaTglRoX0sN11AQQ- Algo website: https://www.algo.com/RESOURCES:- YouTube link: https://youtu.be/rK7ux_JhHM4- Patreon: https://patreon.com/curtjaimungal- Crypto: https://nowpayments.io/donation/TOE- PayPal: https://tinyurl.com/paypalTOE- Twitter: https://twitter.com/TOEwithCurt- Discord Invite: https://discord.com/invite/kBcnfNVwqs- iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/better-left-unsaid-with-curt-jaimungal/id1521758802- Pandora: https://pdora.co/33b9lfP- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4gL14b92xAErofYQA7bU4e- Subreddit r/TheoriesOfEverything: https://reddit.com/r/theoriesofeverything- John Vervaeke's Meaning Crisis series: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLND1JCRq8Vuh3f0P5qjrSdb5eC1ZfZwWJ- Joscha Bach's Twitter: https://twitter.com/Plinz- Better Left Unsaid film: http://betterleftunsaidfilm.com Theories of Everything with Curt Jaimungal features long-form, technically detailed interviews with leading researchers in physics, mathematics, consciousness, and philosophy, exploring topics at the level of active research. For academics, graduate students, and anyone seeking depth beyond popular science. SPONSOR: I personally subscribe to The Economist. TOE listeners get 35% off the annual subscription. No other podcast has this! https://economist.com/TOE FOLLOW: Substack | Spotify | YouTube | Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Joscha Bach and John Vervaeke: Mind, Idealism, and Computation
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