How Does Matter Give Rise To Consciousness? - Sam Harris

Sam Harris is an American author, philosopher, neuroscientist, and podcast host. His work touches on a wide range of topics, including rationality, religion, ethics, free will, neuroscience, meditation, philosophy of mind, politics, terrorism, and artificial intelligence. His academic background is in philosophy and cognitive neuroscience.

Music: Stellardrone - Cepheid

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[AfterSkool]

This has been said in previous videos, but it's worth repeating: Every soul is like a rain drop that descends into one vast ocean of consciousness. Each raindrop hits the surface and makes a small ripple that fades away...but some ripples become waves. This analogy presents the idea that we are all one consciousness. Separation is an illusion. We are all connected, but, individually, YOU have the power to become a wave of positive change. - an illuminating force of love and light that uplifts everything that comes into your energy field. To be you right now, to be conscious of this moment, is truly a gift. Your consciousness is infinite, but it's precious. Don't be a ripple that fades away, focusing your attention on false idols that distract you from becoming the wave you were meant to be.

[cursedtodie]

I experienced something like the Matrix. I fell in a coma in September 2005. I awoke from it 15 days later. But during this time I was in a world where I lived my best life. I only had happy moments. And even though I was in a coma for just 15 days, this new world of happiness lasted 11 months. I haven't met a neurologist or anyone likewise who can explain my dream/vision. The craziest thing, I was diagnosed to be a quadriplegic after waking up. I started walking within a month and I'm completely recovered now.

[swarup.mondal]

"I would rather have questions that can't be answered than have answers that can't be questioned" — Richard Feynman.

This quote works both ways (i.e. Both for religious indoctrination as well as "scientism").

[jaxx-inspiregrowcreate]

We are all connected and we must learn to love each other because of it.

[surajradhakrishnan]

Hinduism says its the other way around. Spirit/consciousness gives rise to matter.

[grossgreencar]

“The closer you get to the meaning, the sooner you know that your dreaming” 🤘🏻
-Ronnie James dio

[FirstPersonSciencePodcast]

It's super admirable that you're putting out such great well-thought-out content on science communication. We need more great scicomm devoted to the intricacies the unknown and the brain/consciousness! It affects us all and is fascinating science! Cant wait to see more!

[paulaction]

If pigs are as smart as dogs then their life must be horrible.

[rickdworsky]

In those who are awake, every moment is a reawakening.

[ZZiPeK]

Is it just me that I dont see how this explains how consciousness arises from matter? :)

[marrcxrp]

After Skool, im so glad you put out this video. Starting about a month ago, ive been experiencing reoccurring existential crises because I couldnt wrap my head around the idea of conscience. I couldnt sleep, had anxiety and my heart was racing at the mere thought of existence. It may sound stupid from another persons perspective, but trust me when I say it was horrifying. Im a person who values the truth, and knowing that nobody knows the truth to a fundamental question which lays the foundation to reality- worried me. It's become better now, as I either distract myself or just accept the unknown.

[TheFuturistTom]

Dear After Skool! I am glad to have stumbled upon your channel several years ago, you have inspired me to make my own channel: The Futurist Tom and my second video, "Why There May Be a VR Exodus"

[lorrainegatanianhits]

Plot twist: How consciousness gives rise to matter.

[smokinbonobo]

Sam Harris has a truly amazing ability to explain the most difficult of concepts in such a way that my pea brain can grasp it. Thanks again Sam!

[eugenemarola]

Looking for consciousness in the brain is like looking for the radio presenter in the radio set.

[Chernobyl.hearts]

We are spiritual beings having a human experience

[donnydonny]

It is the “unmanifested”, that time and concepts and existence are manifested from and within. It is not created by “matter”, it is what we experience as matter.

There is only 1 unmanifested and it is constant. When all the separated selves rediscover it by self enquiry and acknowledge it, then the human problems will soften and dissolve.

[wdd]

I remember scholars and teachers of Transcendental Meditation considering it a fallacy to think of consciousness as an "epiphenomenon" or surface phenomenon, a consequence of the functioning of a brain or nervous system. In India's ancient Vedas, consciousness is considered something fundamental to all existence, that consciousness can exist in a pure state, that all we see and experience is but a manifestation of consciousness.

[sparkside]

I used to find this question interesting based on Sam's view here, but since reading "rethinking consciousness" by Michael Graziano, I no longer do. I now totally understand what Daniel Dennett means when he calls consciousness an illusion, and I think he's spot on with it.


Asking how matter gives rise to consciousness is like asking how a harddrive and computer components give rise to images of folders in Windows explorer. Consciousness' "uniqueness" from matter is an illusion. It is just something that our brains are doing the same way that a computer has levels of abstraction. Things like the phantom limb effect are examples of the consciousness "program" not being properly updated. Every feeling we have is just the brain recursively keeping data about its own state.


I highly recommend the book to anyone who's captivated by things like The Hard Problem. I couldn't imagine the hard problem ever having anymore light shed on it in my lifetime, but that book really changed the way I think about it. It explains why we think there's a hard problem in the first place, and how, in a sense, we're over-thinking it.

[infinitenothingness]

Matter doesn't give rise to consciousness.
Matter is a very heavy illusion created by consciousness.
Consciousness is all there is, and you are that Consciousness currently experiencing a Human. 🏃‍♂️
Sending you the Love and Light of the one infinite creator ✨ 💛