In this thought-provoking episode, cognitive psychologist and author Donald Hoffman takes us on a journey through the mysteries of consciousness and reality. From questioning the nature of what we perceive to pondering the existence of inanimate consciousness, Hoffman challenges conventional beliefs and explores the profound implications of proving local realism false.  He delves into topics such as the illusion of free will, the role of love in metaphysics, and the possibility of reincarnation. Prepare to have your mind expanded as we contemplate the nature of reality itself and how this paradigm-shifting understanding will change everything.  SPONSOR: Receive a free rechargeable frother with your MUDWTR order: https://www.mudwtr.com/knowthyself Download André's FREE Book Recommendation List: https://www.knowthyself.one/books ___________ Timecodes: (0:00) Introduction (2:30) The Question of Consciousness & Evolution (9:56) Is What We See Real?  (12:47) Implications of Proving Local Realism is False  (16:55) Are Inanimate Objects Conscious? (24:53) What Makes Something Conscious? (29:06) We’re looking at the problem wrong  (40:34) How evolution hid the truth from us  (47:22) Conscious Agents: what’s outside of space time? (54:00) Are We in a Simulation? (1:00:40) Seeing the Oneness in All (1:02:38) Concepts of Karma and Reincarnation (1:07:00) Implications on how we act in the world  (1:12:02) Self Compassion (1:13:35) Death & Facing the idea of impermanence  (1:17:14) Does reincarnation exist?  (1:22:41) Meditation & Spiritual Practices (1:30:30) The role that love plays in metaphysics  (1:31:54) Free will & The illusion of choice  (1:41:40) How Relationships Serve Purpose on the evolution of consciousness  (1:45:23) AI & technology assisting the collective awakening  (1:53:52) What it takes to prove this theory (1:58:30) This will change everything  ___________ Donald David Hoffman is an American cognitive psychologist and popular science author. He is a professor in the Department of Cognitive Sciences at the University of California, Irvine, with joint appointments in the Department of Philosophy, the Department of Logic and Philosophy of Science, and the School of Computer Science. Hoffman studies consciousness, visual perception and evolutionary psychology using mathematical models and psychophysical experiments. His research subjects include facial attractiveness, the recognition of shape, the perception of motion and color, the evolution of perception, and the mind–body problem. He has co-authored two technical books; Observer Mechanics: A Formal Theory of Perception (1989) offers a theory of consciousness and its relationship to physics; Automotive Lighting and Human Vision (2005) applies vision science to vehicle lighting. His book Visual Intelligence: How We Create What We See (1998) presents the modern science of visual perception to a broad audience. His 2015 TED Talk, "Do we see reality as it is?" argues that our perceptions have evolved to hide reality from us. Book: https://www.amazon.com/The-Case-Against-Reality/dp/0141983418/ref=sr_1_1?qid=1694112697&refinements=p_27%3ADonald+Hoffman&s=books&sr=1-1&text=Donald+Hoffman ___________ Know Thyself Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/knowthyself/ Website: https://www.knowthyself.one Clips Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJ4wglCWTJeWQC0exBalgKg Listen to all episodes on Audio:  Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4FSiemtvZrWesGtO2MqTZ4?si=d389c8dee8fa4026 Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/know-thyself/id1633725927 André Duqum Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andreduqum/ Meraki Media https://merakimedia.com https://www.instagram.com/merakimedia/