January 2024 - Advaita Vedanta and the Hard Problem of Consciousness - Swami Sarvapriyananda

#advaita #vedanta #sarvapriyananda
Swami Sarvapriyananda reflects on the five great unsolved questions in philosophy published by Oxford University Press, noting that the first four are directly related to consciousness. He emphasizes the centrality of consciousness to the three main branches of philosophy: metaphysics (what is real), epistemology (how do you know anything), and axiology (values and the purpose of life). From the Advaita Vedanta perspective, Swami Sarvapriyananda asserts that Brahman (existence), Chaitanya (consciousness), and Ananda (bliss) provide a unified answer to these questions.

The discussion then delves into the recent surge in interest in consciousness studies, attributed to advancements in imaging technology, artificial intelligence, and developments in information sciences. Swami Sarvapriyananda introduces the hard problem of consciousness, emphasizing the explanatory gap between brain activity and subjective experience.

Drawing on his experience at Harvard Divinity School and discussions with philosophers, Swami Sarvapriyananda suggests that the philosophy of mind has reached a point of stagnation. He recounts a bet between David Chalmers and Christoph Koch, where Koch predicted the imminent reduction of consciousness to brain activity within 25 years. However, upon reflection, Koch admits to no progress in solving the hard problem.

Swami Sarvapriyananda explores the limitations of AI, noting its success in tasks such as creating art and generating content but highlighting its inability to possess consciousness. He questions why AI cannot be made conscious and argues that consciousness is fundamentally different from other cognitive functions.

The talk concludes with a reference to Gallen Strausen's perspective on the hard problem of matter and consciousness. Evan Thompson's acknowledgment of the Upanishads as the origins of consciousness studies in Indian philosophy is highlighted, setting the stage for a deeper exploration of the Indian perspective on consciousness in the subsequent part of the discussion.

*** Title ***
Reality and Reality+ : Advaita Vedanta and the Hard Problem of Consciousness by Swami Sarvapriyananda

*** Filmed ***
Ramakrishna Mission Institute of Culture Golpark
Seminar on "The Re-Emergence of Spirituality in 21st Century Philosophy" held from 2nd to 4th January 2024.

Swami Sarvapriyananda | Vedanta New York | Vedanta Society of Southern California | Ramakrishna Mission Institute of Culture Golpark, Kolkata

[vedanta_philosophy]

Please note that this channel will NEVER be monetised. No adverts will ever be shown (however, sometimes YT places adverts which is out of our control). Everything that's published here is done as an offering to the divine Lord within us all. Thank you for watching. 🙏

[doriuniverse]

This is one of the most profound speeches I’ve ever heard. Swami Sarvapriyananda you are a gift.

[shipralala]

What a formidable talk ! Swami Srvapriyananda is a modern genius on Spirituality. His talks have generated a new spiritual inquisitivenes amoungst a young population in the west. This was the dream of Swmai Vivekananda- being fulfilled

[nicolejanker]

My Dear Teacher 🙏🏼 learned Yoga in depth through You! Thank You very much ❤

[surajrouthsamsung]

This talk of revered Swamiji is a conscious experience of consciousness.

[njeyasreedharan]

Swamiji just gets better and better. This is his best talk todate. Tomorrow it will be even better. His infinite mind has no limits. The Source is with and within him. God has blessed all who hear his talks.

[vasantdamle]

What a formidable speech, logic, argument, construct, ..all speechless..Every sentence qualify as "quote"".

[yogasamrat]

Swami Sarvapriyananda ji is such a blessing to the Western world! His wisdom, his sensitivity and convivial ity is such a boon for the propagation of vedanta in the west.! How wonderful for him to follow in the steps of Swami Turiyananda, the first president of RKM in the West and in New York.

[jaydevvarma]

Fantastic! A much advanced discussion/explanation. We need to understand that "Consciousness" is a Devine Energy form. Cannot be measured, cannot be describe4d . Even a thousand years from now The question of What is Consciousness will still be debated. "It is Divine Energy"🙏🙏🙏🕉🕉🕉

[AditiParanjpe-jubx]

Spellbound by your soaring intellect swamiji.
Your words came to me at a time when I had become desperate with weird and strange experiences in my life.
Your words have stabilised me. Abhaar !!!

[Resurrection-nw]

Elated to hear the words of wisdom from the luminary himself

[asofotida]

What a time to be alive! Swamiji ‘s talks are simply divine! ❤

[skay]

I went back to 49:39 in the video. "It's that to which all objects appear." This one line is enough. Swami Ji's lucidity is amazing.

[Aaron_Gentry]

AI, philosophers, chat GPT, David Chalmers and the hard problem of consciousness, the brain itself - all are appearances within consciousness. It's as simple as that. EVERYTHING, forever and always, is an appearance within consciousness

[shwitalchaturvedi]

So so so beautiful! Thank you swamiji and more power to you!

[anagha.aniruddha]

Namaskar Swami Sarvapriyanandaji Maharaj 🙏🏻
Thank you Vedanta Philosophy for sharing this video 🌹

[sohambhattacharjee]

I don't remember the last time I sat through almost a 1hr long speech without realizing how the time went by.

[Nitaigour-fu]

After listening to the talk, I entered into turiya (तुरीय)...[Happy, happy, joy, joy.]

[jraonm]

Anando Brahma. Ananda is the essence of human endeavor. There's a subconscious striving to attain ananda, maybe it's written in the DNA. When you reach that level, that's Brahma... Consciousness explaining itself.

[jonathanwilson]

Unbelievable this talk sent me to a sublime experience. Thank you Swami