Knowing and the Known: Consciousness, Cognition and Joint Speech with Fred Cummins

Starting with Fred's unique scholarship and teaching, his nursing background, and his early studies with Douglas Hofstadter, Andrea & Fred lay the groundwork for an in-depth discussion on the history and interdisciplinary nature of cognitive science. Uncovering the philosophical and contemporary science behind defining cognitive science, the mind-body relationship, and distinctions between consciousness and cognition. They also discuss the phenomena of joint speech (a term coined by Cummins), its presence in rituals, protests, and sports, its biological and sociocultural facets, and the tech limitations in replicating such collective human activities. This engaging conversation bridges ancient wisdom with modern methodologies, focusing on questioning as much as on finding answers.

#cognition #consciousness #fredcummins #jointspeech #andreahiott #godelescherbach

00:00 Introduction and Greetings
00:23 Fred's Academic Journey
01:27 The Cognitive Science Revolution
04:44 Defining Cognitive Science
07:07 Philosophical Underpinnings
14:06 Teaching Cognitive Science
17:41 The Evolution of Scientific Thought
19:46 The Complexity of Cognition and Consciousness
30:55 The Role of Neuroscience
32:40 The Intersection of Law, Medicine, and Cognitive Science
46:42 The Importance of Dialogue in Science
50:28 Exploring Neoplatonism and Theurgy
51:08 Hellenic Tantra: A Controversial Concept
51:43 Consciousness and Historical Purity
52:33 The Role of Scholarship in Understanding Traditions
54:16 Dialectics and Epistemological Perspectives
55:05 The Nature of Buddhism and Dialectics
01:01:14 The Importance of Writing and Creating
01:05:24 Cognitive Science and Its Broader Implications
01:12:17 The Study of Joint Speech
01:25:01 The Limitations of Technology in Human Connection
01:32:59 The Role of Science in Understanding Human Potential