What is consciousness? Can we tell if other animals experience subjectivity, or whether there will be conscious machines or robots? These fundamental philosophical questions are now being explored by neuroscientist Associate Professor Nao Tsuchiya and his team.NaoTsuchiya discusses his research on consciousness, qualia, and the subjective experience of individuals. He shares his personal journey into the field, emphasizing the importance of curiosity and questioning in scientific inquiry. The discussion covers various aspects of consciousness, including its levels, the role of the amygdala in fear recognition, and the significance of flow states. Tsuchiya also highlights the need for interdisciplinary collaboration in understanding consciousness and the potential impact of transformative experiences on individual.  They delve into the complexities of suffering, growth, and the role of stress in personal development. They explore the concepts of free will and narrative in consciousness, discussing how habits and intentions shape our experiences. The dialogue also touches on the significance of openness in understanding consciousness, the influence of language on experience, and the exploration of non-ordinary states of consciousness. They express curiosity about the nature of reality and the importance of skepticism and openness in exploring phenomena like telepathy. Nao speaks about the importance of staying curios and remaining skeptical, yet open minded. 

Chapters

00:00 Exploring Consciousness: An Introduction

06:14 Personal Journey into Consciousness

12:21 The Intersection of Science and Consciousness

18:10 The Debate on Neuromania

21:29 Causality in Consciousness

24:16 Interdisciplinary Collaboration in Science

27:17 The Future of Consciousness Studies

30:19 Flow States and Their Importance

33:14 Fear and the Amygdala

36:15 Current Research on Qualia

45:01 Exploring Empathy and Psychopathy

45:54 Quantum Theory and Psychological Measurement

48:19 Challenges in Psychedelic Research

50:09 The Complexity of Flow States

51:29 Discussions on Free Energy Theories

54:06 Subjective Experience vs. Scientific Objectivity

56:59 The Role of Poetry and Meaning in Experience

01:00:55 Integrated Information Theory and Consciousness

01:03:57 The Value of Suffering and Stress

01:07:39 Free Will and Narrative Choices

01:20:52 Language and Experience: A Cultural Perspective

01:23:39 Meditation and the Experiential Quality of Consciousness

01:25:45 Exploring Non-Ordinary States of Consciousness

01:27:14 Contradictions in Philosophy and Reality

01:29:14 Locally Consistent, Globally Inconsistent: Understanding Reality

01:31:41 The Nature of Consciousness and the Limits of Understanding

01:32:58 Curiosity and the Exploration of Self

01:33:07 Skepticism and Openness in Telepathy Research

01:38:42 The Nature of Reality and Social Engineering

01:41:59 The Importance of Openness and Attention

01:47:27 Influences and Inspirations in Thought

01:51:09 Final Thoughts: The Dawn of Everything

01:52:56 Podcast exit terence  - 

https://sites.google.com/monash.edu/tlab/home?authuser=0

https://research.monash.edu/en/persons/nao-tsuchiya

Music for every episode 

Intro and exit music used: Strange the dreamer by Savfk - www.youtube.com/@savfkmusic

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Keywords

consciousness, qualia, subjective experience, neuroscience, flow states, amygdala, interdisciplinary research, personal journey, scientific inquiry, integrated information theory, suffering, growth, stress, free will, narrative, consciousness, habits, openness, language, telepathy, neuroscience, mindfulness, haiku, Float tank, sensory deprivation, innerspace,