Upaya Zen Center's Dharma Podcast Joan Halifax | Zen Buddhist Teacher Upaya Abbot

This is John’s part of the dialogue led in two parts by Richard Davidson and John Dunne explores topics on meditation beyond commodification, the transformation in neuroscience, and the importance of flourishing for ethical engagement. The speakers highlight the importance of social engagement and service, and the four pillars of human flourishing. The discussion also explores the limitations of AI, the role of touch in human development, and the importance of broadening the conversation to include all forms of life. Other topics like subjectivity, sentience, reflexivity, and the construct of self are also mentioned.

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This is Richard’s part of the dialogue led in two parts by Richard Davidson and John Dunne explores topics on meditation beyond commodification, the transformation in neuroscience, and the importance of flourishing for ethical engagement. The speakers highlight the importance of social engagement and service, and the four pillars of human flourishing. The discussion also explores the limitations of AI, the role of touch in human development, and the importance of broadening the conversation to include all forms of life. Other topics like subjectivity, sentience, reflexivity, and the construct of self are also mentioned.

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In this lecture physicist Adam Frank delves into the blind spot in science, a concept that has led to a crisis in physics and issues in quantum mechanics. The discussion explores quantum mechanics, interpretations of it, and the impact of the blind spot philosophy. It also highlights critiques by Alfred North Whitehead and Edmund Hersel, and introduces the concept of science beyond the blind spot, emphasizing the need for a new image of nature.

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This is Kristin’s part of the two lectures given by Evan Thompson and Kristin Andrews delve into the concept of life as sensemaking and its implications for artificial intelligence (AI) and consciousness. The speakers discuss the importance of embodiment, organizational closure, and autonomy in living systems. They explore the unique characteristics of living systems and their relationship with the environment. The discussion also covers topics such as the limitations of AI systems, the ethical implications of assuming all life is sentient, and the power dynamics in AI. Additionally, the conversation delves into understanding consciousness in animals and the need for a secure theory of consciousness.

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This is Evan’s part of the two lectures given by Evan Thompson and Kristin Andrews delve into the concept of life as sensemaking and its implications for artificial intelligence (AI) and consciousness. The speakers discuss the importance of embodiment, organizational closure, and autonomy in living systems. They explore the unique characteristics of living systems and their relationship with the environment. The discussion also covers topics such as the limitations of AI systems, the ethical implications of assuming all life is sentient, and the power dynamics in AI. Additionally, the conversation delves into understanding consciousness in animals and the need for a secure theory of consciousness.

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This is the 2nd part of the lecture featuring Molly Crockett and Luc Steels, we dive deep into complex systems of science, interdependence, and knowing. The speakers discuss the shift from in-person to online studies, the use of quantitative data in AI models, and the risks of monocultures of knowing. Together we philosophize around the vision of AI as a surrogate and the potential homogenization of wisdom. We seek to understand the enactive view of science and the challenges in AI research. Enjoy this exploration into the relationship between agency, sentience, and the potential creation of suffering in AI systems.

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