The illusion of shared reality: Why no two minds see the same world | Anil Seth & Jonny Thomson
In the thought-provoking video “The Illusion of Shared Reality: Why No Two Minds See the Same World,” neuroscientist Anil Seth and philosopher Jonny Thomson delve into the intricate relationship between consciousness, perception, and artificial intelligence. They challenge the notion that consciousness can be fully explained as a mere collection of physical processes, emphasizing instead that our personal experiences are uniquely constructed rather than simply observed.
Seth proposes that consciousness is not confined to our brains but emerges from the continuous interaction between our bodies and the environment. He articulates concerns about the potential creation of conscious AI, arguing that the desire to “play God” could be dangerous if machines develop a will to survive. The duo also debates panpsychism, exploring whether consciousness could be intrinsic to all matter.
Ultimately, the conversation uncovers the complexity of consciousness, highlighting that while AI and robots might convincingly mimic human behavior, they lack the intrinsic qualities required for true consciousness. The video poses profound questions about what it means to be aware, urging viewers to reconsider their understanding of mind, reality, and the ethical ramifications of artificial intelligence.
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Author Video Description
“Consciousness is fundamental. It’s a fundamental property of the world that we inhabit, a fundamental property of the universe.”
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What does it mean to be conscious, and why does it feel like something to be you? Neuroscientist Anil Seth argues that consciousness isn’t a mysterious spark but a deeply biological process, one that depends on prediction, perception, and the body’s constant negotiation with the world.
In this conversation with philosopher Jonny Thomson, he explores how our brains don’t passively observe reality, but rather actively construct it.
0:00 Non-human consciousness
1:40 The current state of consciousness science
2:10 What is consciousness?
4:05 The similarity of conscious experiences
5:48 Consciousness in the brain
11:23 Technology for measuring consciousness
16:03 Measuring consciousness levels
20:33 Pragmatic physicalism and functionalism
23:25 Pansychism
28:25 Emergence
32:35 AI and consciousness
36:49 The difference between non-human animals and AI
41:49 Is artificial consciousness possible?
48:12 Consciousness in the body and outside the brain
Consciousness in the future and AI
50:27 Audience Q&A
50:41 Could computers could simulate the brain and body?
59:55 Why are you skeptical about asserting the dependency of life to the consciousness?
1:03:31 If consciousness is so clinical, does it undermine free will?
Read the video transcript ► https://bigthink.com/series/full-interview/science-of-consciousness/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=youtube_description
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About Anil Seth:
Anil Seth is a neuroscientist, author, and public speaker who has pioneered research into the brain basis of consciousness for more than 20 years. He is the author of Being You: A New Science of Consciousness.
About Jonny Thomson:
Jonny Thomson taught philosophy in Oxford for more than a decade before turning to writing full-time. He’s a columnist at Big Think and is the award-winning, bestselling author of three books that have been translated into 22 languages.
Jonny is also the founder of Mini Philosophy, a social network of around two million curious, intelligent minds. He’s known all over the world for making philosophy accessible, relatable, and fun.
About Big Think
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Video “The illusion of shared reality: Why no two minds see the same world | Anil Seth & Jonny Thomson” was uploaded on 11/10/2025 to Youtube Channel Big Think