In this episode, I was joined by Dr. Kelvin McQueen, assistant professor of philosophy at Chapman University, explore the line between mind and matter. From how we measure consciousness in humans to whether plants, animals, and machines have internal experiences, the conversation spans quantum physics, integrated information theory, and the profound ethical dilemmas of building potentially conscious AI.
This mind-bending conversation will leave you asking: what is it like to be... anything?
Topics Covered:
How philosophers and neuroscientists define consciousness
The Zap & Zip method of measuring conscious states
Integrated Information Theory and degrees of consciousness
Whether AI can (or will) ever suffer—and what it would mean if it could
Quantum superpositions, measurement, and the observer effect
The ethical implications of building conscious systems
🧠 This episode continues our exploration into the science of consciousness—building on last week’s discussion with Laurel Waterman.
📚 Resources & Links:
You can find Dr McQueen’s papers, talks, and interviews on his website here:
www.kelvinmcqueen.com
My book The Narrow Window is available on Amazon here: mybook.to/TheNarrowWindow
