Chasing Consciousness Susan Blackmore PHD - THE HARD PROBLEM OF CONSCIOUSNESS
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Mar 31, 2021 
Dr. Susan Blackmore, expert in the problem of consciousness, discusses the definition of consciousness, the limitations of dualism, and the explanation of the 'Hard Problem'. She also shares her personal out of body experience and explores the theories of extended consciousness. The podcast delves into the concept of self and identity, the implications of quantum physics and philosophy on society, and the potential consequences of identifying with a single consciousness.
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Consciousness As 'What It's Like'
- Consciousness is best defined as "what it is like" to be something, following Thomas Nagel: subjective experience distinguishes conscious from non-conscious systems.
- Blackmore contrasts a human's inner "what it's like" with inanimate objects (sunglasses) to illustrate required information processing.
Why Cartesian Dualism Breaks Down
- Classic Cartesian dualism fails because it cannot explain interaction: an immaterial mind can't causally affect a physical brain.
- Empirical facts (drugs, brain injury) show physical changes reliably alter consciousness, undermining dualism.
How The Hard Problem Sparked A Renaissance
- Chalmers' "hard problem" reframed consciousness as how subjective experience arises from objective brain activity, catalyzing modern consciousness science.
- Blackmore credits timing (neuroscience tools) and Chalmers' framing for the research renaissance starting in the 1990s.