logo
episode-header-image
Jan 2022
1h 6m

Are we living in a simulation?

Vox
About this episode
Sean Illing talks with philosopher David Chalmers about virtual worlds and the nature of reality, and other topics that stem from Chalmers's new book Reality+. In this far-reaching discussion, Sean and Prof. Chalmers get into the makeup of human consciousness, the question of whether we're living in a computer simulation, and — of course — The Matrix. Are di ... Show More
Up next
Jan 12
How we built a government that can’t build anything
Why is it so hard for America to build things? Bridges take years to construct. Housing costs are soaring. Transit systems are crumbling. And we’re struggling to update our infrastructure to prepare for the climate crisis. Even when there’s broad agreement that something needs to ... Show More
45m 46s
Dec 22
It’s okay to not be okay
It’s not always the most wonderful time of the year. Every December, we’re told to be merry and stay positive. But a lot of us don’t feel that way. And when we don’t, the pressure to be happy makes everything worse. Sadness feels like failure. Grief feels like a personal mistake. ... Show More
58m 35s
Dec 15
Forgiveness is optional
You have to forgive people who wrong you…right? The world is filled with injustice and wrongdoing, and to live in the world — to not be consumed by anger — forgiveness is necessary. At least that’s what we’re told over and over again: By forgiving, we can set ourselves free.But i ... Show More
1h 4m
Recommended Episodes
Apr 2022
Are We Living in a Simulation with David Chalmers (S3 Ep.12)
My guest today is David Chalmers. David is a professor of philosophy and neuroscience at NYU and the co-director of NYU Centre for Mind, Brain and Consciousness.David just released a new book called "Reality+: Virtual Worlds and the Problems of Philosophy", which we discuss in th ... Show More
1h 27m
Mar 2022
REALITY+: Are We Living in a Simulation?
Philosopher David Chalmers reckons there’s a 25% chance that we are living in a simulation. And he’s OK with it. David's new book is "Reality+: Virtual Worlds and the Problems of Philosophy." To hear an extended version of this episode, download the Next Big Idea app: https://nex ... Show More
1h 8m
Sep 2023
Getting everything, losing everything | Anders Sandberg, Massimo Pigliucci, Mazviita Chirimuuta
tail spinning
41m 2s
Dec 2021
Cosmic Queries – Living in a Simulation with Nick Bostrom
<p>Are we in a simulation? On this episode, Neil deGrasse Tyson and comic co-host Chuck Nice take a deep dive into simulation theory, consciousness, and free will with Oxford theorist Nick Bostrom. Is this The Matrix? </p><p>NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can watch or listen to this ent ... Show More
53m 48s
Jun 2023
#322 — Predicting Reality
<p dir="ltr">Sam Harris speaks with Andy Clark about the predictive brain, embodied cognition, and the extended mind. They discuss the structure of perception, novelty, precision, pain, psychedelics, emotion, ways to hack our predictions, hypnosis, meditation, artificial intellig ... Show More
54m 4s
May 2023
#318 — Physics & Philosophy
<p>Sam Harris speaks with Tim Maudlin about the foundations of physics and metaphysics. They talk about the nature of scientific reductionism, emergence, functionalism, the nature of time, presentism vs eternalism, causation, the nature of possibility, the laws of nature, David L ... Show More
54m 15s
Apr 2022
#280 — The Future of Artificial Intelligence
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Sam Harris speaks with Eric Schmidt about the ways artificial intelligence is shifting the foundations of human knowledge and posing questions of existential risk.</span></p> <p>If the Making Sense podcast logo in your player is BLACK, you can S ... Show More
38m 4s
Sep 2022
#295 — Philosophy and the Good Life
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Sam Harris speaks to Kieran Setiya about the relevance of philosophy to living a good life. They discuss the existence of objective moral truths, being happy vs living well, our response to grief, the difference between "telic" and "atelic" acti ... Show More
44m 17s