#84 The Nature of Consciousness - Gunnar Babcock

Gunnar O Babcock is a lecturer in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Cornell University, Ithaca, New York. His research is primarily in the philosophy of biology and it appears in journals such as Philosophy of Science, Synthese and the Biological Journal of the Linnean Society. He previously managed a non-profit domestication project in Alaska aimed at creating a sustainable form of northern agriculture.

Summary

Professor Gunnar Babcock discusses his unique perspective on consciousness, cognition, and the intersection of philosophy and biology. He explores the concept of agency in non-living systems, the implications of synthetic biology and AI, and the challenges of defining life and goal-directedness. The conversation also delves into the ethical considerations of scientific advancements and the importance of critical thinking in navigating the complexities of modern society.

Chapters

00:00 Exploring Consciousness and Cognition

03:15 Teleology vs. Mechanistic Thinking

06:31 Microbial Agency and Biological Systems

07:23 Synthetic Biology and Artificial Agency

12:53 The Nature of Life and Goal-Directedness

19:01 Conceptual Revisions in Understanding Life

24:52 Influences and Inspirations in Modern Science

29:06 Exploring Ancient Philosophy and Its Relevance Today

31:44 Technological Advancements and Ethical Dilemmas

35:53 The Role of Values in Science

38:28 Funding Research: Balancing Practicality and Exploration