The Library of Consciousness
The Library
of Consciousness
of Consciousness
Robert Lawrence Kuhn is an American author, television host, and public intellectual best known for exploring some of humanity’s deepest questions—about consciousness, cosmology, and the meaning of existence. Trained as a scientist and steeped in philosophy, Kuhn bridges the worlds of science, religion, and philosophy with rare clarity. He is the creator and host of the long-running PBS series Closer to Truth, which features in-depth conversations with leading scientists, philosophers, and theologians on topics ranging from the origins of the universe to the nature of mind and God.
Kuhn’s career has spanned diverse fields—he has written on business strategy, advised governments and corporations, and authored or edited over 30 books, including The Mystery of Existence: Why Is There Anything at All? His work reflects a conviction that humanity’s greatest challenge is not technological or political, but philosophical: to understand reality and our place within it. In a time when public discourse often rewards simplicity, Kuhn’s lifelong project stands out for embracing complexity—inviting viewers and readers alike to think harder, question deeper, and stay curious about the ultimate nature of everything.
Alphabetic
Date
Duration
Word Count
Popularity
Date
August 2024
Format
Research Article
Diverse explanations or theories of consciousness are arrayed on a roughly physicalist-to-nonphysicalist landscape of essences and mechanisms. Categories: Materialism Theories (philosophical, neurobiological, electromagnetic field, computational and informational, homeostatic and affective, embodied and enactive, relational, representational, language, phylogenetic evolution); Non-Reductive Physicalism; Quantum Theories; Integrated Information Theory; Panpsychisms; Monisms; Dualisms; Idealisms; Anomalous and Altered States Theories; Challenge Theories. There are many subcategories, especially for Materialism Theories. Each explanation is self-described by its adherents, critique is minimal and only for clarification, and there is no attempt to adjudicate among theories. The implications of consciousness explanations or theories are assessed with respect to four questions: meaning/purpose/value (if any); AI consciousness; virtual immortality; and survival beyond death. A Landscape of Consciousness, I suggest, offers perspective.
Date
April 18, 2018
Format
Discussion
Word Count
1,030
Duration
05:39
Quotes
3
Views
295
Chalmers makes a compelling argument that our definition of “mind” is too constricted. Objects in our environment augment and take over certain functions for our brains, extending our cognitive processes out into the physical world beyond our bodies.