Within Reason

#147 What is PURE Consciousness? - Thomas Metzinger

Get Huel today with this exclusive offer for New Customers of 15% OFF with code alexoconnor at https://huel.com/alexoconnor (Minimum $50 purchase). For early, ad-free access to videos, and to support the channel, subscribe to my Substack: https://www.alexoconnor.com. Thomas Metzinger is a German philosopher and Professor Emeritus of theoretical philosophy at the University of Mainz. His primary research areas include philosophy of mind, philosophy of neuroscience, and applied ethics, particularly focusing on neurotechnology, virtual reality, and artificial intelligence. Get The Elephant and the Blind: The Experience of Pure Consciousness: Philosophy, Science, and 500+ Experiential Reports TIMESTAMPS 0:00 - The Minimal Phenomenal Experience Project 11:34 - Is MPE New Age Meditation? 17:07 - Collecting Reports of Pure Consciousness 25:48 - Lucid Deep Sleep - Thomas’ Experience 32:19 - Does Consciousness Require Complexity? 39:29 - The Power of Meditation 45:32 - Is Meditation Always a Positive Experience? 53:13 - Is a MPE Actually an Experience? 01:11:21 - Your Brain is Not Telling You the Truth 01:20:08 - Analysing Minimal Conscious Experiences 01:27:26 - Is Meditative Enlightenment Unethical? 01:32:37 - Western Ignorance of Eastern Tradition 01:40:13 - “Coming Home” 01:44:29 - The Political Implications of MPE 01:52:40 - Should Ketamine Be Legalised?