Edward Wilson Steven Pinker Panel on Consilience

Summary

The video transcript features a profound discussion between Professor E.O. Wilson and Steven Pinker, moderated by an unnamed individual, at the Barnes & Noble Union Square. Wilson, a renowned biologist, and Pinker, a cognitive scientist, delve into the unification of knowledge across disciplines, a concept Wilson refers to as 'Concilium.' They explore the interplay between the natural sciences and social sciences, touching on cognitive neuroscience, behavioral genetics, evolutionary biology, and environmental sciences. The conversation also examines the evolutionary purpose of human behaviors and the complex nature of consciousness. Pinker discusses his views on the 'hard problem' of consciousness, suggesting that while we may never intuitively grasp certain scientific truths, we can still accept them intellectually. The dialogue underscores the importance of interdisciplinary studies in advancing our understanding of human nature and the world.

Takeaways

• 📚 The term 'Concilium', introduced by William Jewell in 1840, refers to the interlocking of cause and effect explanations across different disciplines, symbolizing the interconnectedness of knowledge.
• 🧠 Steven Pinker, a cognitive scientist, discusses the idea that the mind is a product of the brain, which is a biological organ evolved with the rest of the animal kingdom.
• 🔬 The natural sciences have made significant progress in understanding the world, and there's optimism that this approach can be extended into social sciences and humanities.
• 🤔 There's opposition to the idea of unifying knowledge under a 'Concilium' concept, stemming from methodological skepticism and philosophical resistance.
• 🧬 Behavioral genetics, cognitive neuroscience, and evolutionary biology are identified as 'borderland' disciplines that bridge the natural sciences with the social sciences and humanities.
• 🌐 The dialogue emphasizes the importance of understanding human nature through the lens of epigenetic rules, which are hereditary regularities in development, particularly mental development.
• 🧵 The concept of reductionism in science is misunderstood; it's not about simplifying everything to the basic level but about breaking down complex phenomena to understand and then synthesizing them.
• 🌟 E.O. Wilson suggests that the key to revitalizing the liberal arts lies in fostering a discourse between natural scientists and social scientists, focusing on the borderland areas of knowledge.
• 🎶 The appreciation for music, despite not having a clear survival value, may be a byproduct of the brain's ability to analyze complex sounds and respond to emotional vocalizations.
• 🧐 Discussion on consciousness includes the 'hard problem' of understanding why we are conscious at all, and the 'easy problem' of how brain activity gives rise to conscious experience.
• ⛓ The persistence of religious thought may be attributed to human curiosity and the desire for mystery and a sense of belonging to something greater than oneself.

Q & A

What is the term 'Concilium' and how was it introduced?

The term 'Concilium' was introduced in 1840 by William Jewell, who is regarded as the founder of the philosophy of science. It refers to the interlocking of cause and effect explanation across different disciplines, which determines the validity of theoretical explanations in those disciplines.

Why is there a need to bridge the gap between the Natural Sciences and the social sciences plus humanities?

The need to bridge this gap arises from the relentless expansion of the Natural Sciences into areas that have traditionally been the domain of the social sciences and humanities. The prospect of extending the cause and effect explanations to these areas is seen as a promising development for a unified understanding of human knowledge.

What are the borderland disciplines that are beginning to bridge the gap between the Natural Sciences and the social sciences?

The borderland disciplines include cognitive neuroscience, behavioral genetics, evolutionary biology, and environmental sciences. These fields are arising from the Natural Sciences and are beginning to connect with the social sciences.

How does Professor Wilson define human nature?

Professor Wilson defines human nature as the epigenetic rules, the hereditary regularities in development and particularly mental development that lead to consistencies of large sectors of human behavior and biases in the evolution of cultural evolution.

What does Professor Pinker believe is the opposing point of view to the idea of unifying all human knowledge?

Professor Pinker suggests that the opposing point of view is twofold: methodological, where some believe the brain and mind are too complex to be studied using the Natural Sciences, and philosophical or visceral, where some feel there must be aspects of the human condition that are forever removed from such scientific inquiry.

What is the role of reductionism in the scientific process?

Reductionism is a part of the scientific process that involves breaking down complex processes into their fundamental elements and processes. It is not about simplifying to the point of losing meaning, but rather about understanding the fundamental processes and then resynthesizing the understanding to gain a more profound comprehension of the whole.

How does Professor Pinker view the concept of dualism in the context of the mind and brain?

Professor Pinker suggests that dualism, the idea that the mind and body are separate entities, is still prevalent even among those who are not religious. However, he argues that the mind is the activity of the brain, and that this view is supported by scientific understanding.

What is the 'hard problem of consciousness' as described by Professor Pinker?

The 'hard problem of consciousness' refers to the question of why we are conscious at all. It asks why certain neurophysiological processes give rise to subjective experience, and why there is something it is like to have a conscious experience.

What is the significance of the discussion on music and its evolutionary value?

The discussion on music is significant as it explores how a complex human creation like music, which doesn't seem to have direct survival value, may have evolved. It suggests that music may tap into circuits in the brain that were originally used for other purposes, such as language and emotional response.

Why does Professor Wilson believe that the time has come for a renewal of the Enlightenment?

Professor Wilson believes that the time has come for a renewal of the Enlightenment because of the advancements in the Natural Sciences and the emergence of borderland disciplines that are beginning to bridge the gap between the Natural Sciences and the social sciences and humanities, offering a more unified view of human knowledge.

How does Professor Pinker respond to the criticism that cognitive neuroscience and similar fields ignore consciousness?

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