logo
episode-header-image
Apr 8
58m 43s

What If You’re Wrong? How Uncertainty Ma...

iHeartPodcasts
About this episode

In this episode, William Egginton invites you to ask the question, “What if you’re wrong?” as he explains how being uncertain makes us more human. William explores the surprising overlap between a physicist, a philosopher, and a poet—each of whom came to the same unsettling truth: that we mistake our model of reality for reality itself. But this isn’t just about subatomic particles or dusty old philosophy books. It’s about how certainty—especially in our relationships—can blind us. What if embracing uncertainty is actually the doorway to wisdom, compassion, and a more connected life?

Key Takeaways:

  • Exploration of the intersections between philosophy, literature, and quantum physics.
  • Discussion of the nature of reality and the limitations of human knowledge.
  • Examination of biases and their impact on perception and understanding.
  • Importance of interpretation in both science and philosophy.
  • Relational understanding of identity and its formation through interactions.
  • Analysis of free will versus determinism and its philosophical implications.
  • Concept of “degrees of freedom” in understanding human agency.
  • Implications of quantum mechanics on our understanding of reality.

If you enjoyed this conversation with William Egginton, check out these other episodes:

How to Find Zest in Life with Dr. John Kaag

Unsafe Thinking with Jonah Sachs

For full show notes, click here!

Connect with the show:

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Up next
Jun 10
The Nobility of Service: Finding Magic and Connection in the Smallest Gestures with Will Guidara
What do a fine dining maitre d. A magician burying cards in a backyard and a toddler looking for Elsa have in common? They all show us that magic still exists. If we’re willing to care more, than seems reasonable. In this episode, Will Guidara, who’s a former co-owner of 11 Madis ... Show More
1 h
Jun 6
Embrace the Chaos: Finding Clarity Through Meditation with Henry Shukman (Part 2)
In part one of this two-part conversation, we walked along the edge of paradox where effort gives way to ease and the search itself becomes the obstacle. In this second part of my conversation with Zen teacher Henry Shukman, the way begins to reveal itself, not as something we gr ... Show More
1 h
Jun 3
Embrace the Chaos: Finding Clarity Through Meditation with Henry Shukman (Part 1)
In this episode, Henry Shukman discusses how to embrace the chaos and find clarity through meditation while exploring themes of self-development and self-love. Henry emphasizes the balance between effort and acceptance in spiritual practice, highlighting the interplay between sud ... Show More
1 h
Recommended Episodes
Jul 2024
E106 - Donald Hoffman: The Emerging Science, “We Are ONE Consciousness” - Life, Death & The Simulation
Donald Hoffman is back on Know Thyself today to explore the constraints of time and space, and how they shape our understanding of the world around us. He discusses the "headset analogy" - the idea that our senses act as a kind of cognitive filter, preventing us from directly per ... Show More
2h 20m
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
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
May 2023
Can experiments settle the free will debate? | Julian Baggini, Peter Godfrey-Smith, Sarah Garfinkel
Does science have anything to say about our freedom of choice?Looking for a link we mentioned? It's here: https://linktr.ee/philosophyforourtimesA famed experiment, by Libet in the 1980s, led many scientists and philosophers to argue that free will was an illusion. Despite the ex ... Show More
51m 16s
Oct 2024
Episode #214 ... Framing our Being in a completely different way. (Heidegger)
Today we look at Heidegger's critique of metaphysics and the traditional subject-object framing in philosophy. How multiple framings are necessary for a fuller picture of our being. His challenge to thinkers like Nietzsche and Descartes. Dasein, the limitations of objectivity. Ph ... Show More
37m 54s
Mar 2023
Breaking through the consciousness stalemate | Philip Goff
Can we free ourselves from stale ideas about consciousness?Looking for a link we mentioned? It's here: https://linktr.ee/philosophyforourtimesSome argue that the reality we perceive is a controlled hallucination. Others claim that science is about to crack the ancient problem of ... Show More
26m 7s
Apr 2018
Episode 36, The Daniel Dennett Interview (Part I - Philosophy of Religion)
Support us on Patreon: www.patreon.com/panpsycast. Everything you could need, including links to all of Daniel C. Dennett’s work, can be found at www.thepanpsycast.com! Please tweet us your thoughts at www.twitter.com/thepanpsycast. In the words of A. C. Grayling, Professor "Dani ... Show More
1h 11m
Mar 2025
New Quantum Science: Deepak Chopra Explains Telepathy, Simulation Theory & How to Break Old Patterns to Increase Your Potential!
Wondering what the invention of AI means for your humanity? Why are we hearing so much about telepathy lately? Are we all connected? Deepak Chopra joins us again in the Breakdown Studio to answer all your questions and quell your fears about artificial intelligence. Learn how Dee ... Show More
1h 5m
Jul 2024
S.6 Ep.36: Challenging the Illusion: The Root of Human Conflict
Our friend and co-host Levi joins us for an eye-opening discussion that dismantles the constructs of identity and exposes the roots of human suffering. This episode takes you on a journey through the illusion of self, exploring how our deep-seated beliefs and assumptions shape ou ... Show More
1 h
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