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David Chalmers Discusses the Hard Problem of Consciousness

2024-11-02 Science & Technology
1.2m
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StarTalk
StarTalk
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Description

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. How do we understand the core of subjective experience? We explore the philosophical and neuroscientific angles of consciousness. Why do some experts believe consciousness arises from the sensory cortex, while others point to the prefrontal cortex? And what does this mean for how we understand animals, AI, or even the very nature of our own minds? We question how consciousness evolved to discussions about the levels of consciousness in animals, babies, and humans under anesthesia. As the conversation turns to AI, the group contemplates the future of artificial consciousness. Could large language models, like today's AI, eventually develop consciousness? If not now, will they in the near future? And if we can simulate human consciousness in machines, are we creating philosophical zombies—entities that behave like us but lack awareness? These questions spiral into debates about reality, VR, and whether we're already living in a simulation. Could there be laws of consciousness waiting to be discovered, like the laws of physics? Or is consciousness simply an illusion, as some scientists propose? What are the core features of consciousness that scientists agree on? Buckle up for a fascinating journey that will leave you questioning not just what consciousness is, but whether any of this is even real. Thanks to our Patrons Jay, Gregory Aronoff, Tom B. Night, Barnsley, Glenn, Hibachi Flamethrower, Crescencio Maximilian joseph Martinez, Micheal Gomez, Matthew Deane, James, Joe Chillemi, Thomas van Cleave, Kelsey Plugge, Jeff Jones, William Hamilton, and Kevin Cosg. for supporting us this week. Check out our second channel, @StarTalkPlus Get the NEW StarTalk book, 'To Infinity and Beyond: A Journey of Cosmic Discovery' on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3PL0NFn Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/startalkradio FOLLOW or SUBSCRIBE to StarTalk: Twitter: http://twitter.com/startalkradio Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StarTalk Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/startalk About StarTalk: Science meets pop culture on StarTalk! Astrophysicist & Hayden Planetarium director Neil deGrasse Tyson, his comic co-hosts, guest celebrities & scientists discuss astronomy, physics, and everything else about life in the universe. Keep Looking Up! #StarTalk #neildegrassetyson Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction: David Chalmers 04:00 - What is Consciousness? 06:50 - Where is the Seat of Consciousness? 14:30 - Are Large Language Models Conscious? 22:47 - The Laws of Consciousness 31:40 - Does Consciousness Really Exist? 34:50 - The Reality of Virtual Reality 42:40 - The Future of Reality

Top Comments (10)

@NYLor00 2024-11-15

I started watching this channel to get away from politics. I think America is majorly devoid of informed critical thinkers. This channel is absorbing and grounding for me.

1.7k 84 replies
@WhiteRaven43 2024-11-02

It's been so nice watching Chuck's questions and comments get more informed as this show goes on. He's learning right along with the audience, and it fosters a great sense of community.

1.0k 42 replies
@theinfinityspiral 2024-11-04

Im sorry, but my life has been bad lately and finding this show is like getting a christmas present a little early. I love you guys and i will be watching. Thank you for your show, you are a blessing to the world and so refreshing that you are real and trustworthy!!!

990 61 replies
@yhfsywfit 2024-11-26

Can we just take a moment to admire the courage of Chuck Nice? Week after week he sits between giants of science and maintains his cool and asks great questions and adds to the conversation. I think I'd be terrified to sit next to any of Neil's guests and pretend that I could add anything to the conversation. And the genius of NdGT to bring him in from the beginning. Fantastic all around.

802 25 replies
@StarsFadeQuicker 2024-11-09

Everyone else came to say it, and I want to be another one to say that I love seeing Chuck's growth in these videos. He gets more and more involved in the discussions in every video, becomes more knowledgeable, yet still maintains his humor and manages to deliver at the best times. He knows when to interject, knows when to sit back and listen, absolutely love Chuck's vibes, and I know it has to be such a joy to spend so much time with him.

170 3 replies
@lanatrzczka 2024-11-10

Gary O’Reilly has become one of my favorite cohosts. He's reserved, doesn't always laugh at the jokes, but then comes out with something thoughtful. Any time Gary's on, I know it will be a good episode.

113 1 replies
@mixedbeatz16 2024-12-02

Chuck has become so freaking educated to hang in these conversations. Gives me hope as an ordinary human that we can all continue to become better educated. Doesn't hurt that Neil is a masterclass in how to be an educator. Regardless, Kudos to Chuck!!

107 8 replies
@edoh6381 2025-07-20

This deserves a 3 hour episode tbh, I would watch entirely

91
@kathhollandful 2025-07-10

When I listen to people like this, my ignorance scares me! Funnily enough though, I love it and I love thinking about the topics long after the conversations end. 🇬🇧

62 2 replies
@MBoido-PHET 2025-11-23

What I find missing in many of these conversations—whether they come from neuroscience, philosophy, or AI—is a recognition that consciousness isn’t just about having the right structures or representing the right information. It’s about the way a living system is integrated through time. Subjective experience isn’t a thing the brain “produces” at a moment; it’s the ongoing synthesis of what we retain, what we attend to now, and what we anticipate next. That temporal flow is what gives experience its depth, its continuity, and its first-person feel. Without it, no system—biological or artificial—would have a world to inhabit or a self to navigate it. This is why the “illusion” idea feels incomplete. Illusions depend on a perspective sustained over time; continuity isn’t something consciousness adds to reality, it’s part of the process by which a conscious organism makes sense of reality at all. Likewise, debates about where consciousness “arises”—sensory cortex, prefrontal cortex—miss the point that experience is a process unfolding across levels, not a property located in a single region. If we ever discover “laws of consciousness,” they may not look like physics. They may look more like principles governing how organisms weave past, present, and future into a coherent field of experience.

11 5 replies

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