Ideas change everything

Our shared condition -- consciousness

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John Searle |

TEDxCERN

• May 2013

Philosopher John Searle lays out the case for studying human consciousness -- and systematically shoots down some of the common objections to taking it seriously. As we learn more about the brain processes that cause awareness, accepting that consciousness is a biological phenomenon is an important first step. And no, he says, consciousness is not a massive computer simulation. (Filmed at TEDxCERN.)

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Want to use TED Talks in your organization?

Philosopher John Searle lays out the case for studying human consciousness -- and systematically shoots down some of the common objections to taking it seriously. As we learn more about the brain processes that cause awareness, accepting that consciousness is a biological phenomenon is an important first step. And no, he says, consciousness is not a massive computer simulation. (Filmed at TEDxCERN.)

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This talk was presented to a local audience at TEDxCERN, an independent event. TED's editors chose to feature it for you.

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About the speaker

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John Searle has made countless contributions to contemporary thinking about consciousness, language, artificial intelligence and rationality itself.

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This talk was presented to a local audience at TEDxCERN, an independent event. TED's editors chose to feature it for you.

Read more about TEDx.