Bernardo Kastrup on the Nature of Reality: Materialism, Idealism, or Skepticism

In this expansive conversation, Michael Shermer speaks with Bernardo Kastrup, the executive director of Essentia Foundation. His work has been leading the modern renaissance of metaphysical idealism, the notion that reality is essentially mental. He has a Ph.D. in philosophy (ontology, philosophy of mind) and another Ph.D. in computer engineering (reconfigurable computing, artificial intelligence). Shermer and Kastrup discuss: materialism, idealism, dualism, monism, panpsychism, free will, determinism, consciousness, the problem of other minds, artificial intelligence, out of body and near-death experiences, model dependent realism, and the ultimate nature of reality.

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[tartarus]

Kastrup blows me away every time he speaks. I love watching any content that includes him

[SebastianLundh]

Kastrup is one of the great thinkers of our time.

[casparrii]

I love that Michael Shermer and Deepak chopra are friends now. It's somehow enormously cathartic, like the two warring psychological factions in my own mind have found a way to be chill with eachother

[cloudstclass]

I really like Michael Shermer. I find myself far more in agreement with Bernardo, but I truly admire Michael’s willingness to engage with people he disagrees with. He’s a true skeptic. Have to respect that.

[alexmerab]

Bernardo's philosophy is amazing.. recommend to everyone to read his books. they are mindblowing

[isitreallyso]

Micheal, I love the fact that you bring on such a variety of respectable perspectives that you disagree with! These discussions are just brilliant. Thank you!

[JL-oguf]

Wow.. Micheal softening up to possibilities in his older days. There is hope. 😉
Bernardo is always on top of his game.

[manofTao]

Kastrup is mind boggling to many a philosopher and i can imagine a few fidgeting in their discomfort trying to hold their integrity while struggling to grasp the flow, yet as an average guy i realise how his interpretations resonate with my undestanding of things that i got to from growing up in a western society and then discovering Buddhism and Taoism, the Tao te ching being a massive turning point in my view of existence. Great interview! Cheers

[leandrosilvagoncalves]

It's very exciting to be alive to witness a change of a paradigm in the world. We still don't know what's going to replace materialism, but we're surely going to expand our understanding of reality.

[mrkcioffi]

I noticed in comments some of us are taking sides and bickering over Shermer vs Kastrup perspective. The point is we don't know. Nobody does. That's what both of them are saying. That's why both of them are brilliant. They don't let their false prejudices get in the way of reasoning.

[mrnessss]

I would honestly pay money to see a debate on Idealism between Bernardo and Sam Harris.

[moesypittounikos]

Michael Shermer is a good sport for inviting Bernardo on his podcast.

[greensleeves]

I already respected Bernardo, but I gained a lot of respect for Michael in this episode. Great discussion.

[shanegfenwick]

Brilliant from Kastrup. Thanks for hosting this conversation, Michael.

[youtubecanal]

Great guest. Great choice. Great topic of discussion. All memories are false because every time we remember something the brain is writing a new narrative.

[scottnorvell]

Shermer has the ability to do something that few of us have managed. No matter how much he learns he is nevertheless able to keep an open mind about what all that knowledge means. He has been able to remain unattached to his bias. Well done.

[transientlotus]

It's interesting how at the end Michael, the materialist, says he finds the idea of idealism comforting, while Bernardo, the idealist, says he finds the idea of materialism more comforting.

[crucifixgym]

Another person carrying the torch of the end of materialism science, much respect for Shermer hosting these talks to clarify the ignorant misconceptions.

[jamenta]

Suffering is meaningful, and insight is the goal. Very Jungian line of thought by Kastrup.

[johnnyfmorgan]

I recommend kastrup's book "more than allegory". the 2nd half especially is totally bonkers in the best way. he details several psychedelic trips he embarked on with a scientific mindset. his reporting from the other side is exhilarating and masterful.