A Journey into Consciousness with Dr. Robert Prentner

An exploration into consciousness and perception. Dr. Robert Prentner, a philosopher and scientist specializing in consciousness studies, artificial intelligence, and the philosophy of science, joins John Michael Godier to explore the nature of perception, consciousness, and reality itself.

Dr. Prentner discusses the Interface Theory of Perception, which suggests that our senses may not reveal the world as it truly is, but rather as an adaptive interface shaped by evolution.

He also examines the "hard problem" of consciousness, debates whether reality itself is a construct of perception, and questions if artificial intelligence could ever achieve true awareness.

00:00:00 - Introduction: The nature of perception and consciousness.

00:00:38 - Event Horizon intro and guest introduction: Dr. Robert Prentner.

00:01:13 - The mystery of consciousness and its connection to the brain.

00:02:58 - The philosophical definitions of consciousness and subjective experience.

00:05:00 - The interface theory of perception and its implications.

00:07:45 - Evolution and how it shapes perception rather than reality.

00:10:30 - The connection between consciousness and physical reality.

00:13:10 - The "hard problem" of consciousness and scientific challenges.

00:16:50 - Hallucinations and the reliability of perception.

00:19:30 - The nature of dreaming and its relation to consciousness.

00:23:00 - Collective delusions and the fluidity of perceived reality.

00:27:15 - Is consciousness fundamental or emergent from the brain?

00:31:00 - Quantum mechanics and its possible ties to consciousness.

00:35:40 - Roger Penrose’s hypothesis on quantum consciousness.

00:39:20 - The challenge of measuring consciousness scientifically.

00:43:10 - AI and the possibility of machine consciousness.

00:46:50 - Can AI accidentally develop consciousness?

00:50:40 - The limits of the Turing test in defining consciousness.

00:54:30 - Consciousness in animals and evolutionary perspectives.

00:58:20 - Applying consciousness theories to astrobiology and alien life.