Noam Chomsky: Why Sam Harris Is Wrong About Consciousness

Noam Chomsky (MIT) challenges evidence-based belief limits and debates vaccine mandates and phenomenology The dialogue also weaves in debates with Sam Harris, Husserlian phenomenology, and Kripkenstein’s rule‑following paradox, offering a deep dive into both scientific and continental perspectives.

- 00:00:00 - Introduction
- 00:03:10 - Beliefs with least evidence
- 00:03:45 - Phenomenology and consciousness
- 00:05:50 - Hume as rationalist?
- 00:08:05 - Retrocausality and free will
- 00:09:55 - Descriptivist vs causal theory
- 00:18:36 - Meaning of cognitive plan
- 00:20:47 - Recursion in human language
- 00:22:39 - Stone duality and formal languages
- 00:25:40 - Pre‑linguistic consciousness
- 00:28:39 - Consciousness-language link
- 00:30:37 - Multiculturalism vs progress
- 00:34:18 - Sam Harris Middle East debate
- 00:37:38 - Mandated vaccination trust
- 00:46:10 - Chomsky on Stoicism
- 00:47:48 - Continental philosophy overview
- 00:48:28 - Animal agriculture ethics
- 00:54:57 - Language after brain trauma
- 00:56:35 - Universal grammar legacy
- 01:02:45 - Questions for Noam
- 01:05:36 - Kripkenstein paradox

SPONSORS:

- CuriosityStream: Use code TOE to save 25% off today. https://curiositystream.thld.co/TOE
- Brilliant: 20% off. https://brilliant.org/TOE
- Algo: for supply chain AI. http://algo.com

Theories of Everything with Curt Jaimungal features long-form, technically detailed interviews with leading researchers in physics, mathematics, consciousness, and philosophy, exploring topics at the level of active research. For academics, graduate students, and anyone seeking depth beyond popular science.

SPONSOR: I personally subscribe to The Economist. TOE listeners get 35% off the annual subscription. No other podcast has this! https://economist.com/TOE

FOLLOW: Substack | Spotify | YouTube | Twitter

- Crypto: https://nowpayments.io/donation/TOE

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices