Episode
#73 Why Materialism Can't Explain Consciousness - David Bentley Hart
- Podcast
- The Uncertainty Podcast
- Published
- Feb 26, 2026
- Duration seconds
- 4874
- Processing state
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Summary
Theologian and philosopher David Bentley Hart explains the contours of his argument against materialism is his new book, All Things Are Full of Gods: The Mysteries of Mind and Life. We explore his idealist leanings, the claim that a mechanistic approach to nature could never explain consciousness, and the thesis that atman is brahman, that I am fundamentally identical to infinite consciousness. Video of this interview is available on YouTube . To support the channel, do please oh please consider donating, either via PayPal or Buy Me a Coffee . Follow me on X-formerly-Twitter . EPISODE CHAPTERS 00:00:00 Introduction 00:00:42 What do we mean by "mind"? 00:09:24 Are you an idealist? 00:15:21 Panpsychism 00:28:18 Convince me that consciousness exists at all. 00:46:09 Sean Carroll's case for naturalism, considered 00:54:14 Is this just a type of "God of the gaps" reasoning? 01:00:34 Do fine-tuning and cosmological arguments for God succeed? 01:07:47 Is atman Brahman? 01:12:50 Does this mean that I am God? 01:19:34 What are you most uncertain of? Get full access to Miles K. Donahue at mileskdonahue.substack.com/subscribe