Skip to content

Like this? Share it!

  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share on LinkedIn
  • Share on Email
Closer To Truth
  • Watch
    • Seasons & EpisodesWatch complete episodes as aired on public television
    • Curated PlaylistsExplore collections of videos curated by our team
    • ProjectsDiscover collaborations with leading institutions
    • ContributorsMeet the greatest thinkers exploring the deepest questions
    • CTT ChatsWatch candid conversations with the brightest minds on the boldest ideas
    • Roundtable ArchivesView roundtable discussions from our early years
  • Topics
    • Cosmos, Consciousness, Meaning: Explore the fundamental questions of existence.Topic Guide
    • All Topics
      • CosmosExplore cosmology, physics, and the fundamentals of existence
        • Back
        • All Cosmos
        • Deep Laws of Nature
          • Back
          • All Deep Laws of Nature
          • Cosmic Fundamentals
          • Time and Space-Time
          • Quantum Theory
          • Complexity and Emergence
          • Mathematics as Fundamental?
          • Information as Fundamental?
          • Universe as Simulation?
          • Deep Discovery in Science
        • Vast Cosmos
          • Back
          • All Vast Cosmos
          • Cosmic Immensity
          • Cosmic Beginnings
          • Cosmic Structure
          • Multiple Universes (Multiverse)
          • Black Holes, Dark Energy, Dark Matter
        • Our Special Universe
          • Back
          • All Our Special Universe
          • Fine-Tuning of the Universe?
          • Fine-Tuning the Universe for Life & Mind?
          • Breathtaking Universe
          • Where Are All the Aliens?
          • Far Future of the Universe
        • Breakthroughs
          • Back
          • All Breakthroughs
          • Breakthroughs in Science
          • Breakthroughs in Mathematics
        • Science and Religion
          • Back
          • All Science and Religion
          • Science vs. Religion?
          • Science and God
          • How Science and Religion Think
          • The New Atheism
          • Limits of Science
        • Mystery of Existence
          • Back
          • All Mystery of Existence
          • The Mystery of Existence
          • The Mystery of Laws & Cosmos
          • Metaphysics of Cosmos
          • Why Anything at All?
      • ConsciousnessSearch mysteries of mind and individual awareness
        • Back
        • All Consciousness
        • Mind-Body Problems
          • Back
          • All Mind-Body Problems
          • The Mind-Body Problem
          • Brain Structure and Function
          • Brain Explains Mind?
          • Elements of Mind
        • Consciousness
          • Back
          • All Consciousness
          • Mystery of Consciousness
          • Consciousness as Emergent
          • Consciousness as All Physical?
          • States of Consciousness
          • Sleep and Dreams
          • Purpose of Consciousness?
          • Metaphysics of Consciousness
        • Persons
          • Back
          • All Persons
          • Persons and Selves
          • Personal Identity
          • Life After Death?
          • Souls?
          • Human Uniqueness
          • Creativity
          • Music
          • Epistemology
          • Belief Systems
          • Mind and Society
          • People and Society
        • Free Will
          • Back
          • All Free Will
          • Mystery of Free Will
          • Philosophy of Free Will
          • Free Will and Consciousness
          • Science of Free Will
          • Free Will and Morality
          • Theology of Free Will
        • Philosophy of Biology
          • Back
          • All Philosophy of Biology
          • Why Philosophy of Biology?
          • What is Life?
          • Life in the Cosmos
          • Deception
        • Extrasensory Perception
          • Back
          • All Extrasensory Perception
          • ESP and New Realities?
          • ESP and the Nonphysical?
        • Art Seeking Understanding
          • Back
          • All Art Seeking Understanding
          • Aesthetic Cognitivism
          • Art and Philosophy
          • Neuroscience/Cognitive Science of Art
          • Neuroscience/Cognitive Science of Music
          • Art and God
          • Art and Religion
          • Art and Culture
      • MeaningSeek whether God exists through diverse perspectives
        • Back
        • All Meaning
        • Philosophy of Religion
          • Back
          • All Philosophy of Religion
          • Concepts of God
          • Alternative Concepts of God
          • Faith and Belief
          • Conflict Among Religions
          • Theology
          • How Philosophy Informs Religion
          • Religion Without God
        • Existence of God
          • Back
          • All Existence of God
          • Arguing God's Existence
          • Philosophical Arguments For God
          • Experiential Arguments For God
          • Arguments Against God
        • Attributes of God
          • Back
          • All Attributes of God
          • God's Nature?
          • God's Essence?
          • God's Powers?
          • God and Time?
        • God as Creator
          • Back
          • All God as Creator
          • God The Creator?
          • God's World?
          • God's Interactions?
        • Ultimate Destinies
          • Back
          • All Ultimate Destinies
          • God's Knowledge and Future Events?
          • Judgment (Heaven, Hell)?
          • Resurrection?
          • Eschatology (End Times)?
          • Eternal Life?
          • Search for Meaning
  • News
    • All NewsStay up-to-date with the latest from Closer To Truth
    • Book ExcerptsExplore recently authored books from our contributors
    • PerspectivesRead essays and articles from our community
  • About
    • About Closer To TruthWe are a digital-media nonprofit and TV series
    • The TV SeriesWhere to watch on PBS stations nationwide
    • Meet the TeamMeet the host and team behind Closer To Truth
    • PartnershipsLearn about our partners and collaborators
    • Support Closer To TruthWays to engage with and support our work
    • PodcastListen on your favorite podcast player
    • StoreBuy official Closer To Truth merchandise
    • YouTubeSubscribe to Closer To Truth on YouTube
Search
  • Login
  • Join
  • Watch
    • EpisodesWatch complete episodes as aired on public television
    • Curated PlaylistsExplore collections of videos curated by our team
    • ProjectsDiscover collaborations with leading institutions
    • ContributorsMeet the greatest thinkers exploring the deepest questions
    • CTT ChatsWatch chats with the brightest minds on the boldest ideas
    • RoundtablesView roundtable discussions from our early years
  • Topics
    • Topic GuideCosmos, Consciousness, Meaning: Join us as we explore the fundamental questions of existence.
    • CosmosExplore cosmology, physics, and the fundamentals of existence
    • ConsciousnessSearch mysteries of mind and individual awareness
    • MeaningSeek whether God exists through diverse perspectives
  • News
    • The Latest
  • About
    • About Closer to TruthWe are a digital-media nonprofit and TV series
    • TV SeriesWhere to watch on PBS stations nationwide
    • Meet the TeamMeet our host and our team
    • PartnershipsLearn about CTT’s partners and collaborators
    • Support Closer to TruthWays to engage with and support our work
    • PodcastListen on your favorite podcast player
    • StoreBuy official Closer To Truth merchandise
    • YouTubeSubscribe to Closer To Truth on YouTube
    • FAQLearn about Closer to Truth membership
  • Login
  • Join

video

Topic Series

Russ Hurlburt

  • Watch Next
Cover image for How Does Deception Shape Brain and Mind?

How Does Deception Shape Brain and Mind?

Cover image for How to Decipher Deception in Evolution?

How to Decipher Deception in Evolution?

Cover image for How Do Breakthroughs Happen in Biology?

How Do Breakthroughs Happen in Biology?

Cover image for How do Breakthroughs Happen in Physics?

How do Breakthroughs Happen in Physics?

Cover image for Noam Chomsky on Theories of Linguistics (Part 2)

Noam Chomsky on Theories of Linguistics (Part 2)

Cover image for Noam Chomsky’s Reflections on Philosophy and Linguistics (Part 1)

Noam Chomsky’s Reflections on Philosophy and Linguistics (Part 1)

  • Details
  • Transcripts
    • Share
Featured In

  • What is the Mind-Body Problem?
Contributors

Russ Hurlburt

Russ Hurlburt explores inner experience in health & illness—thoughts, feelings,...
Robert Lawrence Kuhn
Russ, in trying to discern the old classic mind-body problem, we have to understand each of the components and we have to start with mind; what is the mind? There are a lot of definitions around. You've explored the mind through inner experience. I'd like to understand how that works, what it means and, and how can inner experience be used to give us a scientific understanding of what the mind is?
Russ Hurlburt
Well I'm not sure that I've actually done that Robert. I'd like, I'd like to be able to do that but I don't think I can actually do it. I'm, I'm as much interested in the mind as the next guy, but I have not found a way that I can actually explore that directly. So, what I explore is what I've called pristine inner experience. And by that, I mean your thoughts, feelings, whatever is going on before the footlights of your consciousness. And I think that's the- that is the basic data on which the study of mind rests. So, I don't consider myself actually a researcher on the mind. I consider myself a researcher on inner experience. And the difference there is, that inner experience is a directly experienced phenomenon. It's something which actually presents itself directly to you. And mind is not of that category. Mind is something which maybe leads to inner experience.
Robert Lawrence Kuhn
Or maybe you need it to have inner experience.
Russ Hurlburt
Maybe you need it to have it. Maybe a whole lot of other kinds of things.
Robert Lawrence Kuhn
Right, right.
Russ Hurlburt
But it's not something that you see directly. You don't see it, you don't taste it, you don't whatever. And so, I have limited myself to phenomena. Things which you actually do…
Robert Lawrence Kuhn
Which is a good scientific approach to mind because people talk about mind and get involved in all sorts of crazy things that are nonscientific and opinions. Beliefs and, they're welcome to them but that's not science.
Russ Hurlburt
Well, it's not my science, that's for sure. So, so, I totally agree with that. And I think it's a difficult enough, it's a difficult enough task just to keep (BEEP) people talking about experience. Because they get carried away. And to thinking about mind or whatever, because that's our zeitgeist. That's the world in which we live. So, the method that I use tries to keep people to what I call cleave to experience. I want, I want you to stay directly on experience that was going on at the moment of the beep. So, I give you a beeper. I ask you what's going on right at the moment actually one millisecond before the beep goes off. Not really a millisecond but one… one moment just before the beep goes off. That is what I call the moment of the beep, and I'm going to try to, I'm going to try to help you to focus on that moment and the experience that's going on at that moment and nothing else.
Robert Lawrence Kuhn
Okay. And so, what are specific examples that you get when you ask that question? What's the range?
Russ Hurlburt
Well the range varies, from there was nothing going on, and I think that's actually true for some people. Not most people, most of the time, but most people have something going on. To some people have ten or more simultaneous ongoing experiences all at the same time. Asynchronous, not related to each other. Some people's inner experiences is quite…
Robert Lawrence Kuhn
At the same time?
Russ Hurlburt
Yes.
Robert Lawrence Kuhn
That's hard to imagine. Or maybe shifting back and forth between a number of different ideas? So, when you say what happened when the buzzer went off, people would report I was thinking about pressing my shirt and cashing my check?
Russ Hurlburt
Well it's… it's more diverse than that. But your question I guess I would say it betrays the presupposition that the mind has to be one thing at a time. And I don't think that's actually true. Or maybe it is true. I don't actually know because I'm declaring myself an agnostic about the mind. But I don't think there's any reason to- I don't think there's any reason to believe that experience has to be monolithic. And so, when you asked, well I- going back and forth, it's like da, da, da, da, da, so back and forth. Well maybe that is the way the mind works, and maybe that is the way the neurology works. But it isn't the way experience works when you look at it carefully. I actually doubt that that's the way the neurology works.
Robert Lawrence Kuhn
Okay but it's interesting. So, describe what happens from the phenomenology, from what people report, on multiple simultaneous experiences?
Russ Hurlburt
Well maybe I should give you an example of somebody with multiple experience and it's an example that I've used for a long time because it actually shaped my thinking about this, this subject. It's a woman that I've called Fran. And I've written about her and talked about her in a lot of venues, but Fran was diagnosed when I met her as having Borderline Personality. She'd also been diagnosed as schizophrenic and a bunch of other kinds of things, and probably all those diagnoses were more or less adequate at one point or another. But she was a seriously disturbed woman who had multiple scars on her body from multiple suicide attempts or whatever. And she had been- she was referred to me by a friend of mine who was a therapist who she had consulted him because she had undesirable thoughts she said and she couldn't get those things under control and he'd work with her, being unsuccessful, and he finally said well you know you ought to go see Russ and see what you think. So, we hooked her up with the beeper, and it turned out that she had visual imagery, what I now call inner seeing. And her inner seeings were not the way most people's inner seeings are. That typical guys inner seeing is, you see some kind of a visualization and it's there for a second or two, or two or three maybe and then it's gone. She would have visualizations that would last for she said a half an hour, 45 minutes, or a couple of days, nonstop. And not only that, she had these images, multiple. So, she would have like ten images going on at the same time and they were very different from each other. So, for example, she would see an image of herself sitting on the bed with her daughter standing over saying you're a terrible mother and haranguing her. And then at the same time she would have an image of herself sitting at the dining room table and her father saying I wish you'd never been born. And these images are very floridly detailed. So, in that image for example, she could see through the doorway into the kitchen where her mother was at the sink looking back over her shoulder at what was going on. And then at the same time, she said, I'm seeing a… an image of a birthday cake that I made in the refrigerator. So, I see the refrigerator door open and then there's a birthday cake there and the milk and whatever. And she's got like ten of these images going on at the same time, she says.
Robert Lawrence Kuhn
She claims they're at the same time.
Russ Hurlburt
She claims that they're at the same time. And of course, you might say well this is a seriously disturbed lady and she maybe doesn't understand what the method is about, and I think that's a reasonable thing. So, in one of those images, she said I'm seeing a picture of the local paper. And it's got a department store ad and they're selling gold chains. And the way this ad works is there's a bunch of teddy bears arrayed on this page and there are gold chains hanging off the arms and the neck or whatever of the teddy bear. And so, she describes these things and I say well right at the moment of the beep, which one of these teddy bears are you looking at? And she says, well I'm looking at all of them. And I said, well I understand you're looking at all of them, but I mean right at the moment of the beep which one are you looking at? And she says, I'm looking at all of them. And I said well, you know, I understand that, but I mean right exactly now which one are you looking at. She says, I'm telling you, I'm looking at all of them. So, I know, you know I'm a psychologist and I'm thinking well that's not possible. Everybody knows figuring out phenomena you've got to have (some to finger?) and everything else has got to be in the background. So, I drew her the ambiguous figure of the faces in the vase. On my notepad and I showed it to her and I said what do you see? And she said, well I see two faces and a vase. And I said, well I understand that but I mean right now which one do you see? And she said well I see two faces and a vase. And I said no, no, these alternate back and forth and she says no they don't alternate. I see two faces and a vase. So, the next time I brought with me some professionally drawn, I Xeroxed, whatever, a Necker cube and Jastrow's duck rabbit and Boring's old woman and young woman or whatever, and I brought those to her and asked her what she saw and she denied alternation in any of them. So, still you gotta think well, you know, should you believe a report like this? This is a woman who is maybe credible, maybe not credible. She's making claims which are pretty clearly incredible. But at the end of that interview she said can I have these pictures? And I said sure. So, she called me up an hour later, and she said I went back to the bank where I work, and I showed the pictures to my friend, and by golly, they alternate for them. And then she proceeded to give me a very clear explanation, description of alternation for her friends, and said but that isn't what happened for me. So, you can't just rule out that she didn't understand the question; now it's clear that she did understand the question. And furthermore, she said, we now figured out, my friends and I figured out why I make them mad all the time. And I said oh, why is that? And she said well one of the things that we do is to stand at a counter and count money. And when we count money then I engage them in a conversation and it causes them to lose count. But I can have a conversation here, and another conversation over there, and count money all at the same time. And furthermore, she said, I found out that they don't have three television sets in their living room. And I have three television sets in my living room and I watch them all at the same time and I don't alternate back and forth one at the other. I watch them all at the same time. And so that's the kind of thing that leads me to think well this is an experientially credible report. And there's more to that story too which I could tell you if you're interested in but…
Robert Lawrence Kuhn
What would the implications be of that in terms of how the, what we call the mind functions?
Russ Hurlburt
Well, most scientists, as you voiced a little bit ago yourself, think of the mind as being a unitary kind of a thing. And I think that's probably not the way it is. I think, I think it's possible for the mind to be unitary, and I think it's possible for the mind to be quite fragmented. And she, by the way, to make a very long story short, eventually got… she gave up this… she changed. I could tell you why I think she changed, but she changed. And as the result of that change, her perception got much simpler. And (figure ground?) phenomenon came back to her or started for her for the first time. But the- but in answer to your question, why is that an important story, is if it's true, which I think it is, then you can't just say well there must be a language processor and a visual processor because well maybe there's got to be several language processors or maybe even many language processors. There's several visual processors or many. And that has to figure into what- what your theory of mind has to- has to account for.

Watch Next

Members Only

Please login or join to view

Cover image for How Does Deception Shape Brain and Mind?

What can we learn when people deceive? There are all kinds of deception: from lying, duplicity, and disguises, to propaganda, disinformation, and deep fakes. Self-deception,...

video

How Does Deception Shape Brain and Mind?

Episode 10

Season 21

26:47

Watch

Members Only

Please login or join to view

Cover image for How to Decipher Deception in Evolution?

Deception pervades all life, up and down the phylogenetic tree. Deceptions have a "purpose" - the well-being, often the survival, of the deceiver. But deceptions need not be...

video

How to Decipher Deception in Evolution?

Episode 09

Season 21

26:47

Watch

Members Only

Please login or join to view

Cover image for How Do Breakthroughs Happen in Biology?

Biologists work in different worlds than do physicists, separated by vast orders of magnitude, numbers of variables, and levels of complexity. Does the process of...

video

How Do Breakthroughs Happen in Biology?

Episode 07

Season 21

26:47

Watch

Members Only

Please login or join to view

Cover image for How do Breakthroughs Happen in Physics?

The nature of scientific Breakthroughs is one approach; the process of scientific Breakthroughs is quite another. When physicists reflect on how they do physics, when...

video

How do Breakthroughs Happen in Physics?

Episode 06

Season 21

26:47

Watch

Cover image for Noam Chomsky on Theories of Linguistics (Part 2)

Closer To Truth is proud to present this four-part miniseries with distinguished theoretical linguist, analytic philosopher, and cognitive scientist Noam Chomsky. In Part 2,...

video

Noam Chomsky on Theories of Linguistics (Part 2)

CTT Chat

42:32

Watch

Cover image for Noam Chomsky’s Reflections on Philosophy and Linguistics (Part 1)

Closer To Truth is proud to present this four-part miniseries with distinguished theoretical linguist, analytic philosopher, and cognitive scientist Noam Chomsky. In Part 1,...

video

Noam Chomsky’s Reflections on Philosophy and Linguistics (Part 1)

CTT Chat

27:17

Watch


Become a Member

Get free access to exclusive content and more.

  • facebook
  • twitter
  • instagram
  • youtube
  • Find us on PBS
  • Watch on YouTube
  • Contact Us

Policies Terms © Closer To Truth. All rights reserved Website by Visceral