Uploaded August 2024 | Updated September 2026, 18 hours ago

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Today, we explore the conceivability argument against materialism.

Linktree https://linktr.ee/emersongreen

I primarily drew from three sources: Philip Goff’s Consciousness and Fundamental Reality (2017), Hedda Hassel Mørch’s Non-physicalist Theories of Consciousness (2023), and the SEP entry on Zombies written by Robert Kirk.

Goff: amazon.com/Consciousness-Fundamental-Reality-Philosophy-Mind/dp/0197766390/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=

Mørch: amazon.com/Non-physicalist-Theories-Consciousness-Elements-Philosophy/dp/1009317334

Kirk: https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/zombies/

Here are two David Chalmers papers that were very useful:

Chalmers on different types of physicalism: consc.net/papers/nature.html

Chalmers on different kinds of conceivability and possibility and the links between them: consc.net/papers/conceivability.html

Also referenced:

Erik Hoel - Consciousness is a great mystery. Its definition isn’t. theintrinsicperspective.com/p/consciousness-is-a-great-mystery

Philip Goff - A posteriori physicalists get our phenomenal concepts wrong philpapers.org/rec/PHIAPP-2

Kane B on conceivability and possibility youtu.be/BYsT1Bk1_8Q?si=k5gzXXqSqSm4DLV3

00:00 Housekeeping
00:56 Where I stand currently & some common confusions
04:03 Intro
05:32 Clarifying Conceivability
14:06 What is physicalism?
19:16 Consider the Houseplant
25:09 What the zombie is missing
32:38 Are zombies conceivable?
39:04 Metaphysical Possibility
42:42 A Posteriori Necessity
54:38 Phenomenal Transparency
1:03:56 Goff Interview