Uploaded April 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Embodiment affects how we understand personhood, moral status, and whether this life is our only life. Mark Johnston, Henry Putnam University Professor, Princeton University, explains how competing theories of mind and matter shape the question of whether a will could have an embodiment other than its present one. Johnston examines the failures of functionalism, reductive and non-reductive materialism, and strong emergence, along with the role of will, awareness, and evolved animal life, helping clarify what embodiment really is. He explains why the will matters for moral respect and points toward the possibility that embodiment may not be limited to a single life. Recorded on 03/11/2026. [Show ID: 41446]
Donate to UCTV to support informative & inspiring programming:
uctv.tv/donate
More videos from: UC Berkeley Graduate Lectures
(uctv.tv/grad-council)
Explore More Humanities on UCTV
(uctv.tv/humanities)
The humanities encourage us to think creatively and explore questions about our world. UCTV explores human culture through literature, history, ethics, philosophy, cinema and religion so we can better understand the human experience.
UCTV is the broadcast and online media platform of the University of California, featuring programming from its ten campuses, three national labs and affiliated research institutions. UCTV explores a broad spectrum of subjects for a general audience, including science, health and medicine, public affairs, humanities, arts and music, business, education, and agriculture. Launched in January 2000, UCTV embraces the core missions of the University of California -- teaching, research, and public service – by providing quality, in-depth television far beyond the campus borders to inquisitive viewers around the world.
(https://www.uctv.tv)
Embodiment affects how we understand personhood, moral status, and whether this life is our only life. Mark Johnston, Henry Putnam University Professor, Princeton University, explains how competing theories of mind and matter shape the question of whether a will could have an embodiment other than its present one. Johnston examines the failures of functionalism, reductive and non-reductive materialism, and strong emergence, along with the role of will, awareness, and evolved animal life, helping clarify what embodiment really is. He explains why the will matters for moral respect and points toward the possibility that embodiment may not be limited to a single life. Recorded on 03/11/2026. [Show ID: 41446]
Donate to UCTV to support informative & inspiring programming:
uctv.tv/donate
More videos from: UC Berkeley Graduate Lectures
(uctv.tv/grad-council)
Explore More Humanities on UCTV
(uctv.tv/humanities)
The humanities encourage us to think creatively and explore questions about our world. UCTV explores human culture through literature, history, ethics, philosophy, cinema and religion so we can better understand the human experience.
UCTV is the broadcast and online media platform of the University of California, featuring programming from its ten campuses, three national labs and affiliated research institutions. UCTV explores a broad spectrum of subjects for a general audience, including science, health and medicine, public affairs, humanities, arts and music, business, education, and agriculture. Launched in January 2000, UCTV embraces the core missions of the University of California -- teaching, research, and public service – by providing quality, in-depth television far beyond the campus borders to inquisitive viewers around the world.
(https://www.uctv.tv)
