Aug 23 2024
On Episode 97, Nick chats with Mazviita Chirimuuta, Senior Lecturer in
Philosophy at the University of Edinburgh, about her new book, The Brain
Abstracted: Simplification in the History and Philosophy of Neuroscience,
in which she argues that due to the brain's complexity, neuroscientific
theories have only captured partial truths and that “neurophilosophy” is
unlikely to be achieved. Rather than seeking to reform neuroscience or
offer neuroscientists advice, Mazviita offers a new framework for
interpreting the philosophical significance of present-day neuroscience
research, and draws important lessons for debates over explanations of
consciousness and the mind-body problem.
Timestamps:
(0:00) - Introduction
(2:20) - Life in Edinburgh, festivals and teaching
(4:56) - Upcoming new project, collaborating with scientists
(8:22) - Life growing up, Mazviita’s background and getting into philosophy
(16:29) - Mazviita’s decision to pursue philosophy professionally
(18:30) - The shift to the sciences
(21:10) - How Mazviita coupled the sciences with philosophical interest
(25:26) - Philosophical questioning of color
(28:05) - Transitioning to a career in philosophy
(35:07) - Writing in history and philosophy of neuroscience, challenges of
turning research into a book
(39:34) - Mazviita’s new book, ‘The brain abstracted’, criticizing ideas
from abstractions and idealizations
(42:19) - Idealizations in the field of philosophy of neuroscience
(46:55) - “Normative” lessons for neuroscience?
(51:30) - The reception of the book
(54:00) - The greatest challenge facing philosophy of science today
Philosophy at the University of Edinburgh, about her new book, The Brain
Abstracted: Simplification in the History and Philosophy of Neuroscience,
in which she argues that due to the brain's complexity, neuroscientific
theories have only captured partial truths and that “neurophilosophy” is
unlikely to be achieved. Rather than seeking to reform neuroscience or
offer neuroscientists advice, Mazviita offers a new framework for
interpreting the philosophical significance of present-day neuroscience
research, and draws important lessons for debates over explanations of
consciousness and the mind-body problem.
Timestamps:
(0:00) - Introduction
(2:20) - Life in Edinburgh, festivals and teaching
(4:56) - Upcoming new project, collaborating with scientists
(8:22) - Life growing up, Mazviita’s background and getting into philosophy
(16:29) - Mazviita’s decision to pursue philosophy professionally
(18:30) - The shift to the sciences
(21:10) - How Mazviita coupled the sciences with philosophical interest
(25:26) - Philosophical questioning of color
(28:05) - Transitioning to a career in philosophy
(35:07) - Writing in history and philosophy of neuroscience, challenges of
turning research into a book
(39:34) - Mazviita’s new book, ‘The brain abstracted’, criticizing ideas
from abstractions and idealizations
(42:19) - Idealizations in the field of philosophy of neuroscience
(46:55) - “Normative” lessons for neuroscience?
(51:30) - The reception of the book
(54:00) - The greatest challenge facing philosophy of science today