Philosopher Nick Bostrom discusses his new book, Deep Utopia: Life and Meaning in a Solved World, where he asks: In the face of incredible technological advances, what is the point of human existence? Will AI make our life and labor obsolete? In a “solved world,” where would we find meaning and purpose? Nick Bostrom is…
How do animals and smart machines measure up to human intelligence? Can fish feel pain and do dogs get jealous? Paul Thagard—a philosopher and cognitive scientist—explores hotly debated issues about animal and artificial intelligence to conclude that current bots and beasts fall far short of human capabilities. Thagard’s book, Bots and Beasts: What Makes Machines,…
Philosopher Helen De Cruz discusses her new book, Wonderstruck: How Wonder and Awe Shape the Way We Think. De Cruz explores the transformative role of wonder and awe in an uncertain world and reveals how they are catalysts that can help us reclaim what makes life worth living and preserve the things we find wonderful…
Theoretical physicist and astronomer Marcelo Glesier offers compelling argument for including the human perspective within science, and for how human experience makes science possible. He discusses his new book, The Blind Spot: Why Science Cannot Ignore Human Experience, which urges us to create a new scientific culture that views ourselves both as an expression of…
Why are we here? What’s the point of existence? Philosopher and consciousness researcher Philip Goff tackles these questions and more in this discussion of his new book, Why? The Purpose of the Universe. Goff argues that it’s time to move on from both God and atheism and instead look to cosmic purpose to understand the…
Cosmologist and physics professor Will Kinney discusses his book, An Infinity of Worlds: Cosmic Inflation and the Beginning of the Universe. Kinney considers what happened before the primordial fire of the Big Bang. What is the origin of structure in the cosmos? Can we come to terms with the possibility that our entire observable universe…
Philosopher and cognitive scientist Daniel Dennett discusses his new memoir, I’ve Been Thinking, about the dominant themes of twentieth-century philosophy and cognitive science—including language, evolution, logic, religion, free will, consciousness, and artificial intelligence. Dennett’s book, I’ve Been Thinking, is available for purchase now. Daniel C. Dennett is a philosopher, writer, and cognitive scientist. He is…
Astronomer and astrobiologist Dr. Aomawa Shields discusses her latest book, Life on Other Planets: A Memoir of Finding My Place in the Universe. The book charts her life as an astronomer, classically-trained actor, mother, and Black woman in STEM, searching for life in the universe while building a meaningful life here on Earth. Dr. Shields…
Neurologist Sara Manning Peskin discusses her book, A Molecule Away From Madness: Tales of the Hijacked Brain, about how the very molecules that allow us to exist can also sabotage our minds. Dr. Peskin recounts gripping tales of unruly molecules and the diseases that form in their wake. A college student cannot remember if she…
Cosmologist and close collaborator of Stephen Hawking, Thomas Hertog discusses his book, On the Origin of Time: Stephen Hawking’s Final Theory, a look at the intellectual superstar’s final thoughts on the cosmos. Hertog offers a striking new vision of the universe’s birth that will profoundly transform the way we think about our place in the…
Neuropsychologist Nicholas Humphrey talks about his book, Sentience: The Invention of Consciousness. He tackles the hard problem of consciousness, Phenomenal Consciousness vs. Cognitive Consciousness, and Identity Theory, while providing insight into his theory of consciousness and the experiments conducted throughout his career. He also shares his thoughts on if AI will ever be conscious and…