The Biggest Questions: What is Consciousness? Dr. Susan Blackmore & Tony Sobrado

This is taken from my Biggest Questions Podcast Series

Full Interview & Discussion here:

http://thebiggestquestions.org/questions-topics/what-is-mind-brain-and-consciousness/interview-and-discussion-with-dr-susan-blackmore

Consciousness is humanity's most primary and fundamental experience yet it is also its most elusive. Just what is consciousness? This question has plagued History's greatest Philosophers and scientists. Subsequently this has produced the most polarised views that include dualism and the soul (that mind and brain are distinct) to the most reductive elements of naturalistic materialism where some even argue that what we experience as consciousness is merely an illusion that arises from modal brain states.

Dr. Susan Blackmore is a Visiting Professor at The University of Plymouth and a distinguished writer on Consciousness, the brain and Psychology. She is the author of Conversations on Consciousness and The Meme Machine. In this episode Blackmore addresses the possibility that Cartesian dualism may have beeen replaced by Cartesian materialism. As a consequence Blackmore believes that a new definition of the Mind is required. Blackmore also gives her perspective on Parapsychology and ESP, a field she once use to be heavily involved with, recalling experiences of biased tests and generally non-viable results.