Understanding the Nature of Consciousness - Vervaeke, Swami Sarvapriyananda & Woollacott

Science & Wisdom LIVE

In this episode, Swami Sarvapriyananda, neuroscientist Prof. Marjorie Woollacott, and cognitive scientist Prof. John Verveke explore the nature of consciousness. Moderated by Scott Snibbe, the discussion explores the fundamental questions surrounding consciousness: What is it? What does it do?
Swami Sarvapriyananda offers insights from Advaita Vedanta, suggesting consciousness is a fundamental reality that illuminates our experiences. Prof. Woollacott describes it as a vast, limitless awareness responsible for the universe's essence, while Prof. Vervaeke addresses the integration of consciousness and function, highlighting its role in salience landscaping in complex situations. The speakers provide diverse perspectives from science, philosophy, and spirituality, offering viewers a comprehensive understanding of this age-old mystery.
"I think as this infinite consciousness is the essence and the foundation of the universe. I believe it is responsible for bringing this manifest universe into existence through its own infinite freedom and creativity."
—Prof. Marjorie Woollacott
"I instead would argue that there's a way of answering the two of these together. And the way to do that is to first see from a cognitive science perspective why the two questions are challenging, why they're problematic, why consciousness is the Holy Grail of cognitive science."
—Prof. John Vervaeke
👉 Watch the full episode here: https://youtu.be/jOKc-pV-7So
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