logo
episode-header-image
Apr 2023
50m 26s

63 - The Question of Consciousness (Ft. ...

DAN HOOPER, SHALMA WEGSMAN
About this episode

Can consciousness be explained by physics, or does it appeal to something beyond materialism? Philosopher guest star David Chalmers talks to us about how we can think about consciousness from a philosophical and scientific perspective.

To support our show and get ad-free episodes and other exclusives, join us for $3 a month on Patreon: https://patreon.com/whythisuniverse

Support the show
Up next
May 2
AUA: Changing Dark Energy, Twin Paradox, and What's Next for CERN
We answer your questions. To listen to our backlog of ask-us-anything episodes for free, head to our Patreon, or join for $3/month to submit your questions: https://www.patreon.com/whythisuniverse 
54m 27s
Mar 2025
AUA: The Early Universe, Quantum Interpretations, and Asteroids
To listen to our backlog of past ask-us-anything episodes for free, head to our Patreon, or join for $3/month to ask us questions: https://www.patreon.com/whythisuniverse 
28m 56s
Jan 2025
92 - What Cosmology Has in Store for 2025 (Ft. Dan Scolnic)
Learn what exciting cosmology results and potential discoveries await us in 2025! For exclusive ask-us-anything episodes, join us for just $3 a month on Patreon: https://patreon.com/whythisuniverse. Our merch is available here: https://www.shalmawegsman.com/why-this-universe 
46m 5s
Recommended Episodes
Jun 2024
Consciousness - a science or a philosophy? | Avshalom Elitzur
Why has the concept of consciousness stumped scientists forever? Is there a way of overcoming this impasse?Looking for a link we mentioned? It's here: https://linktr.ee/philosophyforourtimesJoin physicist and philosopher Avshalom Elitzur as he fearlessly accompanies physics to it ... Show More
35m 4s
Mar 2025
#404 — What If Consciousness Is Fundamental?
Sam Harris speaks with his wife, Annaka Harris, about LIGHTS ON, her ten-part audio documentary exploring the perplexities of consciousness and the cosmos. They discuss the hard problem of consciousness, whether consciousness is fundamental, what split-brain patients can teach us ... Show More
2h 20m
Apr 2024
The Illusion Of Matter With Special Guest, Bernardo Kastrup
Is everything just a figment of our imagination? Join renowned author Deepak Chopra and philosopher Bernardo Kastrup as they delve into the nature of reality, questioning materialism and exploring the power of consciousness. This eye-opening conversation will challenge your assum ... Show More
50m 8s
Sep 2024
What is consciousness? PART 1 | Iain Mcgilchrist, Roger Penrose and Steve Fuller
Being consciousWe think we have this thing, consciousness, whether we share it with the entire earth or with only our species, but yet its definition has evaded the efforts of leading philosophers and neuroscientists alike for decades. Do you think you know what consciousness is? ... Show More
14m 9s
Jul 2024
#374 — Consciousness and the Physical World
Sam Harris speaks with Christof Koch about the nature of consciousness. They discuss Christof’s development as a neuroscientist, his collaboration with Francis Crick, change blindness and binocular rivalry, sleep and anesthesia, the limits of physicalism, non-locality, brains as ... Show More
42m 7s
Nov 2024
The Hard Problem of Consciousness with David Chalmers
What exactly is consciousness, and why is it such a hard problem to solve? Neil deGrasse Tyson and co-hosts Chuck Nice and Gary O’Reilly take you deep into the mysteries of consciousness and objective reality, David Chalmers, a philosopher and cognitive scientist. NOTE: StarTalk+ ... Show More
46m 48s
Oct 2024
Ep 6: Scientific Evidence for ESP that Shatters the Materialist Paradigm
In this highly anticipated science episode, we explore the rich history of telepathy research in both humans and animals, uncovering groundbreaking studies that challenge the materialist worldview. Leading scientists suggest that consciousness, not matter, may be the fundamental ... Show More
46m 49s
Oct 2023
Dan Dennett Looks Back on His Career
Get tickets for our event: skeptic.com/event Daniel Dennett, preeminent philosopher and cognitive scientist, has spent his career considering the thorniest, most fundamental mysteries of the mind. Do we have free will? What is consciousness and how did it come about? What disting ... Show More
1h 28m
Feb 2024
Why Our Brains Can't Handle Reality
Our brains are amazing, but can they truly grasp the infinite complexity of reality? Join Deepak Chopra for an exploration into the fascinating world of animal senses, explore the limits of human perception, and question what "real" even means. This episode blends science and spi ... Show More
14m 38s
Mar 2025
The Science of Consciousness: What’s Beyond the Brain? | Mark Gober : 1262
You think, you feel, you are—but what if your consciousness isn’t just in your brain? What if reality itself is shaped by something beyond the physical? In this episode, Mark Gober—author, consciousness researcher, and former Silicon Valley banker—joins Dave Asprey to challenge e ... Show More
1h 27m