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THOMAS NAGEL: the mind and the universe

THOMAS NAGEL: the mind and the universe

Update: 2025-04-24
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Thomas Nagel is an American philosopher known for exploring consciousness, ethics, and the limits of scientific explanation. He is best known for his essay "What Is It Like to Be a Bat?" and his critique of materialism in Mind and Cosmos.


Thomas discusses how he was drawn to philosophy, he elaborates on the major themes of his work, especially the challenge of understanding the subjective experience, and calls for a broader view of reality that encompasses both mental and physical dimensions. 


Beyond philosophy of mind, Nagel discusses ethical issues, such as the difficulty of comparing the suffering of different species and the tensions between impartial moral theories and personal loyalties.


Read: What Is It Like to Be a Bat?


Keep up to date with Peter on Substack

Keep up to date with Kasia!


Executive Producer: Rachel Barrett


Thanks to our volunteer researchers Hendrik Dahlmeier and Mihika Chechi


And special thanks to Suzi Jamil


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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THOMAS NAGEL: the mind and the universe

THOMAS NAGEL: the mind and the universe