Cogito, Ergo Sum | The Talos Principle (Ep. 125)

Update: 2024-11-29

Description

"The answer that came to me again and again was play. Every human society in recorded history has games. We don't just solve problems out of necessity. We do it for fun...Games are part of what makes us human. We see the world as a mystery, a puzzle, because we've always been a species of problem-solvers."

This week, Rick is joined by Alex (Low Five Gaming) to approach the brinks of phenomenal consciousness and transhumanism in The Talos Principle, a 2014 puzzle game by Devolver Digital. Though the storyboarding and "plot" are fairly light (and reminiscent to the Book of Genesis), the implications of the story are far reaching: what is the fundamental turning point into the notion of Qualia, or phenomenal consciousness? And what of free will - do we have it? Join us as we discuss this, the Garden of Eden, how games can foster community, and much more. Please enjoy!
(Below are only a few sources consulted for the episode that you may find interesting. I mention a few more in the episode!)

Philosophize This! on consciousness
Sam Harris and Daniel Dennet debate free will
Nick Bostrom's Simulation Hypothesis

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