1: Nicholas Humphrey

Keith talks to neuropsychologist Nicholas Humphrey about the theory of consciousness presented in his books \Seeing Red\ (2006), \Soul Dust\ (2011), and \Sentience\ (2022). The conversation ranges over many topics, including blindsight, the difference between sensation and perception, the function of consciousness, whether phenomenal consciousness is an illusion, artificial consciousness, suicide, spirituality, and evolutionary psychology. Recording date: 12/10/17 Timings 00:25 Introduction to Nicholas Humphrey 02:56 Taking consciousness seriously 05:18 NH’s work with the monkey Helen and his discovery of blindsight 13:24 The discovery of blindsight in humans 15:56 Monkey aesthetics and colour preferences 18:13 The distinction between sensation and perception 22:40 The story of HD and the meaning of sensation 27:53 Sentition and the evolution of sensation 34:52 The evolution of NH’s thinking about consciousness 38:44 NH’s account of adaptive function of consciousness 48:40 Is phenomenal consciousness an illusion? 1:00:24 Phenomenal surrealism 1:03:45 The ipsundrum and the gregundrum 1:08:36 Artificial consciousness 1:14:30 Sentience in non-human animals, with discussion of octopuses 1:20:36 Reflexive consciousness and phenomenal consciousness 1:25:02 Suicide and depression 1:38:02 Materialism, religion, and spirituality 1:42:04 Evolutionary psychology Track: Schubert - Piano Quintet in A major 'The Trout', D. 667- IV. Andantino – Allegretto - Clifford Curzon, piano; Amadeus Quartet members. Source: https://archive.org/details/Iv.ThemeA...