The Politics of Consciousness | video lecture with Yuval Noah Harari

What is consciousness? Who has consciousness? And why is it so dangerous to confuse it with intelligence? How does our understanding of consciousness impact the ethical, political and legal debates about abortion, animal rights and the legal status of AI? In this video talk, Yuval Noah Harari unpacks these huge questions step by step, and offers tools for thinking about them clearly.
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Yuval Noah Harari is a historian, philosopher, and the bestselling author of 'Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind' (2014), 'Homo Deus: A Brief History of Tomorrow' (2016), '21 Lessons for the 21st Century' (2018), and the series 'Sapiens: A Graphic History' (launched in 2020, co-authored with David Vandermeulen and Daniel Casanave).
Yuval Noah Harari speaks internationally and teaches at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. On this channel you can see his interviews, lectures, and public conversations with prominent leaders and influencers, - including Mark Zuckerberg, Natalie Portman, Christine Lagarde, Chancellor Kurz of Austria, Jay Shetty, and Russell Brand.

[@Earthad23]

"I regard consciousness as fundamental. I regard matter as derivative from consciousness. We cannot get behind consciousness. Everything that we talk about, everything that we regard as existing, postulates consciousness." Planck

[@5piles]

yes unfortunately yuval is a typical groupthink physicalist

[@Mahesh-om6sq]

No evidence that consciousness exist in nonliving matter... So your view is invalid.

[@5piles]

@@Mahesh-om6sq if you adopt the metaphysical dogma of physicalism then of course you will not see the physical in the nonphysical its as stupid as saying you can do phd level mathematics by looking inside the brain. youre a psychotic member of scientism with nothing to show for it. in fact the opposite, you worship folk introspection as the be all and end all. you dont stand a chance.

[@Earthad23]

@@Mahesh-om6sq The concept of “non living matter” is a concept in the mind of a conscious observer. You can’t get behind it to look at it.

[@waterkingdavid]

Can't watch Yuval. He's simply not connected. I suspect that when he says he does vipassana what is actually happening is that he's composing his next book or talk in his mind and not being aware of his thoughts he doesn't notice. May he be free of suffering. If only he'd actually read what the Buddha taught.

[@coolfouad74]

Greetings from Lebanon. I'm a fan of yours An amazing book of yours was banned in my country only because the author was Israeli, but I managed to get one from abroad and read it. Your philosophical way of tackling differences encourages the readers/listeners to workout their minds. With all of my consciousness; I'd like to say that I'm happy to subscribe to your educational channel. Thanks for the great lecture :) Shalom :)

[@user-if4ui1bk7y]

I agree with the fact that this channel is very valuable😁

[@daryjohnmizelle]

The Self is Consciousness.

[@ZardexM]

This guy is a complete fake and an idiot. The very first claim is moronic lie. "Science treats consciousnesses as a..." no, that's philosophy, science does not address the nature of consciousness.

[@arhgentumm]

I've never not learned something new after watching one of Yuval's lectures.

[@jakubisek]

I might subscribe to that. The question is whether a good/useful/enjoyable/helpful speech must necessarily say something completely new.

[@geoffreyembasa8483]

He's simply a product of many books read that most of us hv read. Despite the phraseology that finds acceptability amongst those whose minda are veiled,the guy is vile. He impresses on the outside but he got the DNA of those who destroy from within

[@jakubisek]

@@geoffreyembasa8483 Whom and in what way does/might he destroy, would you say, and what makes you arrive at that conclusion?

[@samofrabat]

This dumba55 needs to stay the hell away from saying things he can't support scientifically, cause he doesn't support his assertions e.g. "the book sapien". Unlikely that a person who can't reason enough to realize that a sxl or9an isn't meant to be dipped in fec9s.....will have the capacity to talk about topic necessitating reason

[@alschmidt1560]

WOW, that´s really a GREAT compliment !!!

[@mirona2177]

One criticism to Yuval. According the ancient Advaita Vedanta and the analytical idealism of our days, everything is a conscious. The stars, the material objects, our bodies and basically the whole universe. Just the same as Shpinoza stated. Our minds or more accurate, the sensory system (sansations, thoughts, feelings) is the thing that makes us suffer. This theory is a bit more complex from a political and ethical standpoint, but it is crucial for human and nature coexistence. Keep to promote such issues. Thanks.

[@harelfishman9456]

Your remark is correct, but : mind alone is not enough to create suffering. If a camera sees something disgusting, it doesnt feel any displeasure, although it has some sense - because there is no consciousness in it; Only the combination of consciousness & mind makes suffering possible.

[@S62r]

Yes he assumes many things are not comfortable conscious but we can't know that since there is no objective way to measure consciousness. Many religions believe in consciousness outside the animal kingdom.

[@jano8087]

@@harelfishman9456 🤯... Awareness comes to us through the heart. Bringing the mind into awareness generates consciousness. Awareness feels like an infinite flower blossoming, embedded in every passing second, which is why I believe that everything in the universe is awareness.

[@lawrencefrost9063]

Criticism? That sounds more like an opinion about your own belief about the universe.

[@alanjarrar]

Are those claims coming from Advaita Vedanta or both Advaita Vedanta and your experience?

[@BobQuigley]

Mr Harari is the gift that keeps on giving. Insights that blow open thinking in those willing to let in new information. Thanks for you dedication and work to help humanity break through our current prejudices and thinking..

[@ramkum73]

Yuval is all over the place on this one. Not his usual incisive & clear commentary we expect of him. Focus Yuval. Focus on consciousness.

[@ittixen]

For a subject that's already very complex and related to many many different concepts, this is actually surprisingly focused in my opinion. It's very difficult to cover such a topic without either touching on different things, or missing important points.

[@TheAdrianVillasenor]

I really enjoyed the medium-length video essay format. Or at least it will be something to chew on until the next book comes out ;) Keep up the good work!

[@andresvillaes]

Tengo que dar gracias al algoritmo y don Yuval Noah Harari porque me ha reventado las neuronas. Mi consciencia no puede describir lo que siente en estos momentos. Sentimientos vs inteligencia, la inteligencia nos hará libres. Internet nos hará libres porque cada vez somos más los que empezamos a ver la realidad como es, neutra. Son nuestros sentidos y la forma de interpretar que tienen que suframos cuando cada día es un regalo. La suerte de vivir, la suerte de poder amar. Si este comentario ha llegado hasta ti es porque hablas mi lengua y sabes de lo que estoy hablando porque a ti también te pasa, porque el mismo algoritmo que nos ha enseñado este video, porque esa idea que Harari se le ocurrió "I am gonna speak about the politics of consiosness" es una muestra de que todo está conectado y que lo mejor no está por llegar. Saludos de un colombiano-sevillano que vive en Escocia.

[@user-sv2uk1bo1g]

כל פעם שאני שומע אותך אני מתוודע לעומקים ותפיסות חדשות על המציאות, המוסר והחשיבה שלנו. תודה רבה לך! אתה גאווה לאומית!

[@tamihichik1897]

תקרא את אבי גרפינקל במוסף הארץ. המון כבוד לנח, על שמציף ומעלה סוגיות ראויות דיון, אבל אליה וקוץ בה. תקרא.

[@faridtavos507]

The best way to spend your 31 minutes on KZbin. He unpacks one of the most challenging questions and simplifies it in microdoses to help you understand how the world works.

[@smiliefacecanopyservicemcb775]

Well you have just confirmed his useless eaters hypothesis. . .with honors.mm,?

[@12NiBer12]

He thinks people are useless eaters. You're just a useful idiot if you're digesting any of his "works".

[@user-oh7tl3mw6b]

Да что он понимае Шарлатан

[@alschmidt1560]

@@smiliefacecanopyservicemcb775 But stupid flock BREEDS like crazy without ANY consciousness !!! Utterly pointless offspring to live the same utterly useless lives like dumb parents ? What is it good for ? This is the END . . .

[@tcrowesemler6184]

Dr. Harari, thank you for sharing this powerful lecture and keeping it real! You speak to my heart and mind's eye. I've always thought that I was deficient in "consciousness". Your lecture reveals that I am conscious and consciousness. Highly empathic and this world seems so incorrect. It's like humanity's folly of ignorance seems so ridiculous and depressing to the point of my suffering. The inequality and exploitation of the poor, along with the total disregard for "Earth's Rights and Species Rights. I have held these feelings from an early age. Asking too many questions about "why is this happening?". I have been called a native sociologist. I've been told I "demand the impossible" of organization, institutions, and humanity. Ethical behavior is not impossible. Treat people the way they want to be treated. Have forethought about your actions, and their possible outcomes. Dr. Harari, thank you again for sharing this lecture and validating my consciousness and my ascribed status as Salt-of-the-Earth Ozark Queerbilly ~/*\~

[@mahfuzaakhter9654]

I'm showing deep respect to Yuval Noah Harari for his amazing lecture

[@marilynmesange1610]

Interesting perspective . If consciousness is the capacity to feel pain, it should also mean the capacity to feel joy and love.

[@tokra5538]

Only if the so called soul lives.

[@lawrencefrost9063]

@@tokra5538 what?

[@alschmidt1560]

🙌 👏 🙏 🤝 👍 made my day mate !! You seem 2 be a real GREAT lady !!!

[@sukottoshinobe7360]

Pain in tangible physical nervous reactions. Joy and love are abstract

[@AnatolyKern]

Yuval is quite adept at highlighting potential ethical and political risks that come with introducing hierarchy in consciousness, which serves as an important warning for researchers in the field. I appreciate the concept of subjecting theories to a 'suffering test' and using it to develop legal frameworks that might eliminate victimless crimes. I've come across references to research confirming suffering in plants, which could significantly broaden the scope of ethical and political discussions. It's intriguing to consider a potential correlation between the scale of suffering and the scale of empathy (ranging from super-empathetic to psychopathic) and one's ability to feel and observe. Could there be a unifying factor between these scales? While it remains unclear if integrated information theory fits into this framework, I believe it's time to combine efforts, drawing from both scientific and spiritual knowledge, to seek the underlying truths together.

[@judithmcdonald9001]

Thank you for including plants. I am hypersensitive to the happiness and the suffering of plants. The more I learn about their communication skills, the more sentient they become.

[@AnatolyKern]

@@judithmcdonald9001 That is important to notice, high level of this sense. You could be a contact point, a bridge in understanding with plants and help humanity to understand their paradigm of understanding, incorporating it into our consensus world model.

[@romanzkv4]

Amazing, your ability to simplify give tools to all people to think about very complicated issues. "Consciousness is the capacity to suffer" - simple, brilliant. Please write more books, and think more thoughts.

[@chaseaflu9722]

Yuvaaaaal Noaaaaah Haraaaari, you are such an influence on the development of my consciousness.

[@rodionpopkov9179]

Thank you for asking the right questions! I'd like to share a few thoughts on this topic. The crucial point here is to define suffering. What is the source of suffering? Can other animals have comparable suffering as we have? Can aliens have a similar sense of suffering as we have? As I understand, suffering has a biochemical source. Our brains have neuromediators and receptors to emerge the feeling of suffer that was evolutionary selected and allowed us to be those who we are. And may be here is the crucial point to extend the discussion with scientific socitety. Another interesting point in the discussion, that suffering depends not just on reality observing, but as a gap in between our understanding of reality (I call it 'the picture of the world'), observing reality, and our understanding of our role and abilities in each situation. This is the consciousness triangle. Moreover the suffering mostly come from our feeling that we can do nothing. In the most situations of suffering we underestimate our role and abilities. Most of us have terrible wrong understanding of who we are and what we can do. I believe philosophers and scientists together can do much more in this space, and here is the most unexplored territory. From practical perspective I found that each time I suffer, I ask myself what is my role, what I did to prevent the situation causes suffering, what can I do, and why I think I can't do more? This technique of reflection helped me a lot.

[@softcolly8753]

Agreed that defining suffering. Not convinced on it having a biochemical source, that's an unproven assumption. "You are a part of the universe experiencing itself".

[@sajdinkhan9049]

we human race are aliens, actually. exploiting the whole earth and its species.

[@jedgibson6881]

I'm liking the non-interview format, why dilute the brilliant insights?

[@oscarerincon6644]

Dr. Rodolfo Llinas has searched about consciousness. Would you able professor Harari to have a talk with him? As a Colombian, I'm very proud of Dr. Llinas professional work, and totally fascinated for your approach to history, and humankind. Fascinating!

[@noahchen5030]

Buddhists have been practicing consciousness for thousands of years - the four noble truths - seeing suffering, ours and others. True love - practicing loving kindness, compassion, equinimity and joy.

[@RahulSharma-uh1me]

thanks harari, loved your explanations.

[@mintakan003]

I think the issue is closely related to the sense of "self", which can suffer "gain" or "loss". There are different senses of "self" (bodily, psychologically, socially, ...). There are a lot of Buddhist themes implied in the presentation.

[@TheWayofAwe]

He is looking for a means to measure consciousness that is fair to all living beings, a starting point. It is a reaction that he found to the threat of ones life state of being that is it. Now to test it to see if there is some other means than suffering that can be more appealing to people because as he has found, how people feel about something is a key component. To use suffering as your measuring stick, a feeling, will not help people see the simply yet complicated truths about how we have formed out society structures that need seeing. I will continue pondering on what you are bringing up Yuval, thanks for the insights. What I find challenging is that he is countering what most consciousness researchers saying that it is not awareness that you are aware, no, he is saying that feelings far better describe consciousness than anything else. So this is what to ponder, is he right? I like how it is changing my thinking on this, yes I do.

[@NishthaGupta-uh5kz]

so important to give a right definition to consciousness ! People with agendas will also define it incorrectly ...

[@shivashankaran4963]

The capacity to suffer must also include the capacity to enjoy, to love and sorry. There is an inherent capacity to know the difference of these and recognize one's place in its environment.

[@marurb]

I was just about to write the same comment and absolutely support your comment, because I also see it as a direct implication. I'm very curious what Yuval has to say about this.

[@christopherl4611]

@@marurb He mentions it at the beginning, but I think we are a long ways off from the Mass Politics of Pleasure or Eudaimonia and more in the business of mitigating suffering when we are at our best.

[@gomathapaliya2381]

You bang the door or splash a cold water, notice what a cow or chicken does. The fear response or running away or screaming reaction makes me believe that they suffer and feel the harm equally as we do. We have studied recently that if a cow is sent through a tighter column mimicking almost like a tight hug, they are calmer when getting butchered. Gives me a heartache 😢 I pray for advancement in plant based proteins.

[@quoctuannguyen8937]

Yes, Yuval Noah Harari with bright way of thought

[@valdzus]

Thank you for this great lecture and even more thanks for not trying to sell something or including ads

[@EJ-zj7tt]

Oh he's trying to sell something all right, it just isn't a mug or t-shirt. What he's selling is a post-human materialst view of the world without much respect for individual humans.

[@G_Demolished]

@@EJ-zj7tt Or so his detractors say.

[@isabeltrindade1949]

This topic is very important. We really should take this very seriously, specially in what concerns animal suffering. It is time human societies change radically what is allowed in animal exploration, etc.

[@campuscampus2941]

... Then he poses the question: whose suffering is more important between 2 groups? Between mankind and animals? Who decides? Based on which criteria?

[@S62r]

We've always known animals were conscious and could suffer. We just made a conscious choice to deprioritize animals (and especially animals we don't like) vs humans. No amount of science will tell us what moral and ethical framework to use.

[@alschmidt1560]

🙌 👏 🙏 🤝 👍

[@ninalisazu1521]

I'm really keen on these kinds of lectures, especially because they include more images and videos, thanks for this thought-provoking presentation.

[@GurmeetSingh-md7oe]

Hello Respected mam are you teacher?

[@swan1340]

What about the feeling of Joy this was totally discounted ❤

[@juanarturosilvaordaz8827]

There is a crucial element missing I this great analysis: consciousness occurs in matter. No matter -> No consciousness Any claim to non-material consciousness must be rejected

[@deeplearningpartnership]

Interesting. Looking forward to Part II.

[@ushual]

Instead of looking for part 2, 3, ...10, get out of your comfort zone and help people if consciousness strikes you. Wonder how many disadvantage people Harari and his WEF friends helped In Person.

[@khakimo100]

You will be surprised at how much impact his ideas have. Just taking his LGBTQ example, I would have loved to listen to his analysis when I was coming out 50 years ago. I expect there are many people who will have aha moments on this issue (and others) that will lead to lesser suffering as a result of watching this lecture

[@dlaleggia]

Consciousness allows you to notice suffering, just as much as noticing joy. Awareness comes first. If you don’t know “something” is here, it just isn’t.

[@TheGreenHeartofItaly-fl3wv]

Yes, awareness. Perhaps it is a thing between consciousness and intelligence. Putting aside what it is to us, what is it to AI?

[@sociowan]

you can be conscious, but not aware about the mental aspects of your experience: awareness, attention, etc. Awareness is absent in a human who is temporarily unconscious. You can not become aware of the aspects of you mental or physical experiences during the moments when you are unconscious. Ergo - awareness is secondary and depends on whether there is consciousness or not.

[@erikraudzens7975]

Again excellent ideas here. Further to this are questions regarding if all consciousnesses is equally valid how do we determine differences in expectations in what produces both happiness and suffering. As a sentient being my existence and what may make me joyful is not universal and reliant on the use of limited resources which may result in other sentient beings being deprived of such resources and therefore there is inherit competition. Do we revert to what we observe in the natural world ie our understanding of natural selection? Or do we make decisions based on what we currently suits human beings in the continuation of the the species? These are tough moral questions but valid and worth investigation and debate.

[@arpitkatre2748]

Dear yuval harari i have deep respect for you and your books I reccomend you go deeper into Eastern philosophies especially read the texts pertaining to advait vendanta philosophy and the concept of Brahman in that context I am 100% sure it will aid our collective understanding towards understanding consciousness

[@truthnationet8926]

I have wrote about consciousness in a similar rather bolder light and now on my way to publish it in a book,. . . i have been very much surprised by many scholars ignoring emotions when contemplating about the nature of consciousness for so long

[@sunburnsun]

Some of us with spectrum conditions do not process emotion the same as others. That doesn't make us less conscious. Unless consciousness is being measured relative to a universalist teleology of moral purpose, as in his posit of reduction of suffering

[@larsrosenbaum3408]

Thoughts are the source of emotions. Thoughts are created by the illusionary Self. Therefore emotions are illusions. The moment you stop hanging on to your thoughts, you let them go, your emotions will disappear and you will be free.

[@andybaldman]

Autistic people don’t process emotions the same way as neurotypical people. Are they less conscious? What if there were an AI agent who was as smart and capable and indistinguishable from a human in every way we can measure and interact with it, but did not have emotion. Would it be conscious?

[@WarrenLacefield]

@@larsrosenbaum3408 That is hardly the definition of "peak experience". Thoughts certainly are a source of emotions. It is actually hard to imagine how the "self" would be an "illusion" (who/what is being illudied? endless reflections, a rabbit hole). And, yes, when you stop hanging on to thoughts, perhaps you are meditating ... or dead ... but knowledge, emotions, and purposes do seem to diminish in importance and maybe vanish. Not necessarily a form of "freedom" I would prefer to experience for very long.

[@Sentientism]

I find sentience a useful concept when it comes to thinking about moral implications. For those (like me) with a more physicalist philosophy of mind sentience is the morally salient part of consciousness. Some like to load consciousness with other requirements re: specific cognitive abilities like language, creativity, advanced concepts of the self or ability to plan richly for the future. Whereas sentience is simply the capacity to have experiences - particularly good/bad (valenced) experiences. For those with a panpsychist view of consciousness - I suggest that while you can call sub-atomic particles "micro-conscious" if you like - they're vanishingly unlikely to be sentient. I'd suggest that only "macro-conscious" beings like animals are sentient. Hence the @Sentientism worldview! "Evidence, reason and compassion for all sentient beings" - A combination of naturalistic (vs. supernatural) epistemology and sentiocentric moral scope.

[@werdru6258]

I think generally we confuse or limit consciousness to sentience. To me consciousness is not limited to suffering but to see the meaning behind one's suffering and to evolve ones understanding beyond feeling.

[@InfiniteClarity]

I hear you. I find it interesting and perhaps w agenda that he does not speak of the consciousness of happiness. If consciousness is pure awareness it is all feelings, including neutral.

[@werdru6258]

@@InfiniteClarity This is revealing about consciousness.kzbin.info/www/bejne/boOwhZ5sYrajicU

[@BulentBasaran]

Great point on sentience v consciousness. Thank you for sharing.

[@judithmcdonald9001]

Absolutely. We are limited by our perceptions, i.e., only see a certain range of colors and hear a certain decibel range. We don't know what we don't know. I believe the universe is conscious in a far out way.🎆🎑

[@BismillahArif]

The most important warning for the audience is that he warned anyone involved in developing theories and particularly ask what will the political and ethical implications of such theories. He laid down cautions to the lives of not only humans but animals also. This is really powerful.

[@jsongwriter1443]

No it is really stupid and circular. Since me stepping on a worm or on even a puppy’s head has nothing to do with an ethical political agenda that supports aborting human babies. Love is sacrifice and that doesn’t mean ending suffering, it means to take it on.

[@frankschlegel9126]

You know he wants to depopulate the planet and take away your freedom, right?

[@williamjmccartan8879]

Wonderful, and pertinent in today's society, the distinction between intelligence and consciousness is one that some seem to confuse and we end up bestowing human or animal attributes to machines. The distinction is primary and must not be forgotten, or the outcome could truly bring harm to our world, thank you Yuval, well said and prescient.

[@alschmidt1560]

Hey Bill, if you like Yuval, I think you would like Osho and his lectures (here on yt) too - for pretty sure . . .This "ZEN master" has been teaching about a new conscious and intelligent society more than 30 years ago . . .

[@williamjmccartan8879]

@@alschmidt1560 I've been following Yuval for about 4 or 5 years, I also follow Gregg Henriques and Jordan Hall, John Vervaeke, Michael Levin, and a crap load of other's my plate is full enough, no disrespect, but even being free to enjoy the platform, time is still limited. Thank you for the suggestion Al.

[@ulalaFrugilega]

You do realise how strange it is that a bunch of cells, not even all with the same genome, working together as a sort of biological factory resulting in a consciousness is pretty inexplicable, right? Why would that be tied to feelings instead of intelligence? Are you more conscious when in pain, or exultingly happy, than when solving problems?

[@jeanniedreemer1944]

I believe,Yuval,that if it breathes, it has consciousness in one form or another. It is so much more than the ability to suffer in my head. I also believe you are the very essence of common sense and logic combined, and blessed with the best way to explain it. A note on AI, no matter how much intelligence we feed these robots or machines, for any period of time, they will never take the first breath, so, in summary, they will never have conscience ness.

[@rossfam2069]

This is insane. Mix politics and science....because it worked so well with religion?

[@anonimuse6553]

Except that we have consciousness before we start to breathe. And we will still have consciousness after we stop to breathe.

[@Paddlehappy]

Thank you for your enlightment

[@d.c.603]

Thought provoking. Consciousness is a gift to some-a curse to others, depending on perceptions-reception of awareness. It can be overwhelming to some-exciting to others. We are not what we will be. Some find pleasure in pain, others consider that unhealthy. Learning while sifting perceptions is a process. Mechanical is different than the depth that joy, empathy-compassion has. A car lacks that.

[@prasanngayakawad5104]

Sir I recently purchased your book SAPIENS. And completed it. What a informative book it is. Now I'm a big fan of yours. Yor knowledge about humankind is unimaginable. I wish one day I will get the opportunity to meet you.

[@sherrytaha9268]

'intelligence and consciousness are very different things'. Thanks for the insight and warning, Yuval Harari. We need keep in mind that consciousness involves suffering in order to deal with the ethical, political and legal considerations resulting from development of AI.

[@mtn1793]

Stupidity causes much pain and suffering hence I choose to keep intelligence and consciousness closely linked.

[@S62r]

Actually his definition is just made up- not scientific. You don't need to be able to suffer to be conscious and to avail yourself of human rights. What if you're a person in a coma? Do you lose your human card?

[@alschmidt1560]

@@mtn1793 🙌 👏 🙏 🤝 👍 made my day mate !!

[@dubeynatansh8676]

Yuval, looking forward to your book on this topic.

[@FAempowerment]

I do agree with various things are said here - yet, it's our "value system" and "judgments" that cause the "suffering" and of course the so called "survival instinct" that can lead to people becoming a "mob", killers or simply greedy. If we judge "pain" as something bad, we try to fight it with all kinds of stuff (depending the kind of pain) - yet, in fact, the pain is a signal of something being "imbalanced", therefore a practical "tool"... A painful or even traumatic experience can lead to a lot of changes and realizations one could otherwise not have and may even let the pain and trauma be "forgotten and/ or forgiven"... When we only "value" what is "nice", we miss half of the "mysteries" (hidden) that we could gain/learn... choices we make can come from various states of "momentary emotional state of being", which is often steered by memories of either something "nice" or something "not nice" we have once "archived with an according label"... When it comes to the AI theme, we not only need to look of what AI itself is, but who "controls" that and if we ourselves may be so attached to the "nice" that we actually become dependent - for example, cell phones are very practical devices, yet, when I was young and there were only landlines I remembered loads of telephone numbers and nowadays hardly any (I depend on my phone or written down list of numbers - how many still have numbers written down??).... I agree, many challenges for Humanity as a whole....

[@ozilakesh2720]

I love this lecture! It is bringing me to think about “life” what lives and what does not live! Consiousness are with those that live! And brings me to think about higherself, god and universe! Thank you!❤️🤲🏻🙏🏻

[@katesterling6443]

What a great and timely lecture! Harari always makes me think and think. And that's a good thing!

[@dhirendrabhagwat1265]

Good argument on the subject and so well explained!! High regards for your efforts!!!!

[@JayJay-hu8zn]

Sir thank you for the in-depth knowledge you have shared with us, you are a genius and awakened person. Here you are addressing the educated, intellectuals, high ranking people, etc. I request you to make a simple version for the last student in the class as consciousness is important for all mankind. If you raise our level of consciousness you will be handsomely rewarded by the universe.

[@poldergeist2010]

outstanding as ever

[@chipkyle5428]

The ability to suffer does not define consciousness any more than the ability to breathe defines life. I am Yuval fan, but his clever suffer/conscious linking seems more politics than science? Very interesting ideas to explore I agree.

[@ohernik]

Reduce de concept of consciousness focusing only to the capacity to express some basic feelings or sensations is so rustic, only shows how far we are to really understand the deep meaning of consciousness. It is dangerous to leave only to economic, political and technical based power leaders (specially those who promote transhumanism) to speculate about the nature of consciousness, for they can relativize the true value of human consciousness in favor of their power and greedy needs, leading common people to unwanted and unknown consequences.

[@ziakhan-hk9me]

Excellent talk. It made me revisit my earlier learning on the subject and rewarded with more consciousness, I hope. That said, utilitarian comparisons of consciousness will create further abyss of politics undermining ethics. At the end of the day, what matters most is the sustainable progress of humankind which essentially involves tradeoffs between politics and ethics as well as ethical dilemmas like euthanasia and keeping patients clinically alive after having medically determined the end of their life.

[@steveblevins8793]

Thank you, Yuval. Having an ethical system that tries to minimize suffering makes sense to me, but I would worry about any ethical system based EXCLUSIVELY on suffering. After all, we can eliminate all suffering by eliminating all living things, but that seems unsatisfactory. In the equation that will define our ethics, let's keep suffering as an important variable, but not the only variable.

[@benb3500]

Life is overcoming suffering. Without the bad how would we recognise the good?

[@steveblevins8793]

@@benb3500 Exactly. Often, the deeper the suffering, the more glorious the recovery.

[@robsollart2580]

Although I agree with the notion that consciousness has to do with the ability to suffer, I feel it is a rather negative approach. The other end of the scale, the ability to feel happiness, even bliss, may not have the same moral or political implications, but for a general understanding of consciousness maybe just as important if not more. Anyway, happy to hear such wonderfull lecture!

[@tokra5538]

He wants humanity to suffer. He is unable to feel empathy for human suffering. He is trying to justify the agenda he participates in

[@averayugen7802]

@@tokra5538 No that's not what he means

[@veravostinar3581]

@@averayugen7802 Yes it exactly what he means. He is a psychopath.

[@jonas6120]

@@tokra5538 what agenda is that? :o

[@tokra5538]

@@jonas6120 bringing the 7 universal laws for humanity to observe. With the forced upon religion. Although those laws sound great, the evil will be in details when interpreting. Those laws are DECEITFUL. Some presidents were already speaking about them but people did not pay attention. Under those laws there will be totalitarian control and no right to oppose. Politicians dont know what they are doing. Bringing demise on humanity. The 7 Noahide laws. Look up but dont forget to add the deception into your search. Interesting the logo they have, long before it was adapted for something else. Yuval NOAH, interesting coincidence

[@shanezanath2092]

I'd argue that the closest thing to a consensus on the definition of consciousness is "something it is like to be". In that sense, a complete theory of consciousness would not be sufficient solely on the basis of understanding suffering. On the other hand, it is a necessary condition for the theory of consciousness to explain and predict (to quantify if possible) suffering. I agree with Yuval that suffering is the most important aspect of consciousness to solve because of the social and political implications, but I'd have to push back on narrowing the definition of consciousness to the ability to suffer. If anyone is looking for further reading to support Yuval's take on consciousness as the ability to suffer, I'd highly recommend Antonio Damasio "Feeling and Knowing" or the pioneer Christof Koch "The Feeling of Life Itself". Anil Seth's book "Being You" is my favorite work on the subject, although he takes a more global approach than the suffering definition.

[@javiercr9634]

thanks for your videos, profesor Harari.

[@Lalakis]

Yuval you are valuable and needed in an era when "effective global altruists" are showing off their iqs while trying to design a future for humanity based on cost/benefit analysis completely ignoring the factor of suffering or approaching it like a property measured in units ( 8 units of suffering is less than 30 units of suffering).

[@Mark-zn5om]

Are you for real!!?? This guy is a fucking monster!!..

[@incognitotorpedo42]

I don't think claiming that suffering is unquantifiable is correct or helpful. There are certainly gradations of suffering. Appendicitis is worse than a mosquito bite.

[@gbbanjara2206]

Yuval is a beacon of our times just like the ancient Indian sages, Confucius, Buddha, Jesus Christ and Muhammad were of their times and until now. The recent rise of human status and influence in this planet and the technologies such as AI have compelled us to look at the consciousness, intelligence, morality in a new way. I think, Yuval is making extremely important contribution in this. Another of his great qualities is, his ability to explain these complex issues in the simplest of the ways. Thank you Yuval !

[@mini2713]

No. He is an antichrist, cannot be compared to Christ.

[@mini2713]

Who Is Christ? The Lion of The Tribe of Judah Your Question Will Be Answered Today. Take the time to know who Jesus is. ( Jesus The Messiah/ Yeshua Ha Mashiach) Our Living Passover Acts Chapter 4 verse 12: ” There is no salvation through anyone else, nor is there any other name under heaven given to the human race by which we are to be saved.” Isaiah 9 vs. 6, ” For unto us a Child is born. Unto us a Son is given, and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. “ Who is Christ? Who is Jesus? Born of a virgin, Mary. Matthew Chapter 1 verse 20: ” behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to him (Joseph), in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for that (Christ) which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. Jesus, the Christ, is God’s word made into flesh. 1 John chapter 5 verse 7: ” For there are three that bear a record in heaven, The Father, The Word, and the Holy Spirit: and these three are one.” John chapter 1 verse 1: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." John chapter 1 verse 14: " And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.” John chapter 1 verse 10: "He was in the world, and the world knew Him not.” Hebrews chapter 4 verse 12: "For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” How beautiful and awesome is God’s Word, who is our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, magnificent in all His glory, is He. Amen! John’s Vision Of Christ Seated On His Throne In Heaven: Revelation chapter 4 verse 2 to 3: "Immediately, I (John), was in the Spirit, and behold a throne sat in Heaven, and One sat on the throne. And He who sat there was like a jasper and a sardius stone in appearance, and there was a rainbow around the throne, in appearance like an emerald.” Why did Christ Jesus came and sacrificed His precious life for sinners like us? Christ (God’s Word made into flesh), came because through flesh (Adam’s flesh) sin entered the world, and then because of sin, death entered the whole earth. Through flesh (Jesus Christ’s flesh), the earth will be saved, sin is destroyed, and the curse of death shall be broken, death and the grave shall be cast into hell. Christ, who is God’s Word made into flesh, sacrificed His life for us. He was crucified for our sins and transgressions. Christ died, and on the third day He resurrected in the flesh, conquering death and the grave. Now, Christ is seated in Heaven, at the right hand of Power (God the Father). Through Christ’s sacrifice we gain Salvation through God’s abundant mercy and grace. We are reconciled and recompensed back to God, through the shed blood of His beloved Son Christ Jesus. John chapter 3 verse 16: "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him, shall not perish, but have everlasting life.” Romans chapter 5 verse 8: "But God demonstrates His love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Christ came to undo the sin and eternal death brought upon the world through the sin of Adam. Death in Adam, Life In Christ: Romans chapter 5 verse 19: "For as by one man’s disobedience (Adam), many were made sinners, so also by one Man’s (Jesus) obedience, many will be made righteous.” Romans chapter 5 verse 18: "Therefore, as through one man’s (Adam’s) offense judgement came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even through one Man’s (Christ’s) righteous act, the free gift came to all men, resulting in the justification of life.” Romans chapter 5 verse 17: "For if by the one man’s offense (Adam’s offense), death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in the life through the One (Jesus Christ)." Romans chapter 5 verse 12: "Therefore, just as through one man (Adam) sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned.” Romans chapter 5 verse 21: “So that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Through Adam, sin and death entered the world, so that is why Christ Jesus came to give life, and give it more abundantly. Yes, Christ came to give eternal life through Salvation. The Salvation of His shed blood, and resurrection. Adam’s flesh brought sin, death, destruction, and condemnation. 1 Corinthians 15 : 21-22, “For since by man(Adam) came death, by Man(Christ), also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ, all shall be made alive.” Christ’s sacrifice, the crucifixion of His flesh, brings reconciliation of sins, resurrection, eternal life and salvation. Christ is coming back again, not as a sacrificial lamb. He is coming back as a roaring, warring lion, to destroy sin, death, and the grave once and for all. Amen! Halleluyah! Revelation chapter 22 verse 12 to 13: ” And behold, I come quickly, and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. I am the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. “ Now do you see friends, why Christ Jesus is so Important for our Salvation? Yes. Now, do you understand why there is only one way to God, and that is only through Christ Jesus? Yes. Christ is Salvation. Christ is our Lord and Saviour. Christ is the only way to God. Christ is the only Mediator between God and men (us humans). God loves us so much, He does not want anyone to perish in hell. God wants all sinners to be saved. That is why He sent His Word to save the world. God’s Word became flesh, and dwelt among us to save us. Christ is God’s Living Word. Will you accept Christ and be saved? Your eternity depends on it. What happens after death, is what's important. Where will you spend eternity? Romans chapter 6 verse 23: ” For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” John Chapter 3 verse 16: ” For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life.” Salvation is free! Christ already paid the price, all you have to do is receive salvation through acceptance of Jesus Christ, Yeshua Ha Massiach. So who is Christ? He is The Word Of God. He is the Son of God. He is God. He is the Image of the Invisible God. He is the Alpha and Omega. He is the Beginning and the End. He is the Great I Am. He is Emmanuel. He is The Christ. He is The Messiah. He is The Creator. He is our Lord and Saviour. He is our Mediator. He is the Lion and the Lamb. He is The Rock not cut out by human hands. He is the Root of David. He is Salvation. He is the Way, the Truth, and Life. He is the Promise fulfilled to Abraham. He is The New Covenant. Amen! I love you Lord! God created the heavens and the earth with His spoken Word. Did you know that Jesus is that Word, through which all things were created? Yes. John chapter 14 verse 6: "Jesus said to him, I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Colossians chapter 1 verse 15 to 16: "He is the Image of the Invisible God, the Firstborn over all creation. For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.” we belong to Christ, and Christ belongs to God, the Father. John chapter 1 verse 1 to 4: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.” I hope that you now know and understand Christ better, without any doubts, to the glory of God. Amen! Christ is for all who will receive Him. This is how our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ said we should pray. Matthew chapter 6 verse 9 to 13: “Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name, Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.” Now that you understand who Christ is, share Christ with others. Christ is The Good News. What do we do with good news? We share it. Amen! Repent of your sins. Sin no more! Be baptized in Jesus Name. Submit to God. Love God with all your heart, mind, body, soul, and spirit. Keep God’s Commandments. Love one another. Forgive one another. It is written, “resist the devil, submit to God, and the devil will flee from you.” Hate sin with all your heart, mind, body, soul, and spirit. Hebrews 9:2, "For if we sin willfully, after we received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins." Rejoice Our King Is Scheduled To Return Revelation 19 verse 13-16, " He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God, and the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword that with it He should strike the nations, and He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And He has on His robe, and on His thigh a name written: King of kings And Lord of lords." Ride on King Jesus!

[@mikerinaldi7170]

@@mini2713 Jesus, dude!

[@smiliefacecanopyservicemcb775]

@@mini2713. . . Blessings Mini. Thank you for the share. It is a valued and important compendium of information. And it is timely, in that it provides those of us who are not so easily swayed by happen stance explanations, to better explore bait hypotheticals such as this one offered by Mr. Harari. For those of who have attained the awareness of such things, it is clear that every presupposition asserted by Mr. Harari is contextually wrong. And as there's an obvious limitation with space and time to address all the errors presented, i will attempt to share a greater truth on one or two of his anecdotal presuppositions. The first hurdle to be scaled is the assumption that consciousness is inexorably tethered to suffering. This is not an absolute, nor is it the standard measure by which we can ascertain a more valid hypothesis. In fact it would be more accurate to say that consciousness is awareness through sentience. And is born of through the self actualized awareness of "being". It manifests through a number of processes not exclusive to, but including awareness, intention, thought, sound and the word. Suffering alone is not emblematic of consciousness but of the learning necessary, or not, of the will of the evolving soul. The trauma endemic of a sufferer is mitigated by an elevated, higher consciousness, we may refer to as Christ Consciousness. It is a matter of evolution. Secondly, the human embryo is not simply a clump of cells at any point in its development. It is a sentient gather of the material body. And it is a requisite of the human experience. The humanoid elemental life consists of an atomic center, and it is conscious, and it is seeking to learn. At the heart of its capacity to learn is a light spark we can refer to as its spirit. And intimately tethered to spirit is our highest self, our Soul -- for those amongst us who are fully human. It is all set upon a backdrop consisting of the evolutionary process whereby the Earths logos helps to translate conscious energy into the material manifestations of the world we have come to experience. This intellectual property i choose to retain and do not wish for it to be a tool used for selfish and or evil purposes. As we are our brother's keeper. Stand with humanity. Blessings, love and divine light.

[@raymondtendau2749]

@@mini2713 whoever reads this to the end,Good luck.

[@umeshprasadsatpathy2583]

Consciousness I feel is the realisation of the perfect interpretation of life in simple term.

[@safiraamaliasani8885]

nah. how you describe a "life" is ?

[@guusvandermeulen7210]

I think a discussion with a few more concepts is more insightful. - awareness of the environment, the physical world. And have agency to react. "sense input from the environment and react on it". For this the agent must have a model of the relevant environment. - Intelligence. Having a complex model of (part of) the environment. - Plasticity. The ability to adapt the model. - self awareness. The ability to observe yourself in the (model of the) world. "Having a model of the world, including a self that is observed.". - Sentientness. The ability to feel pain and other emotions. "Having a model of the world, with an observed self that has emotions especially "pain" ". In several laws this concept is used. The idea is that humans are obligated to treat Sentient beings in a way that they will not "feel pain".

[@ComprehensibleThai]

Brilliant definition. Spot on.

[@timtaylor1365]

An important and complex subject presented with Yuval's customary clarity and insights. This is very helpful in understanding life, politics and ethics.

[@storkonstage]

Excellent. This has to sink in. But I think consciousness in any living creature is a neurological tool to survive. The level of consciousness depends on the evolutionary path that creature has been through. The level of intelligence and the definition we humans make about the capability to solve problems in our own environment is the only tool of measurement. And don't forget instinctual impulsive behaviour is a important factor in the level of consciousness. Thank you Mr. Harari for shearing your wisdom and knowledge.

[@vnitian2233]

Whoever watching this , we all are many years ahead from our present generation

[@alschmidt1560]

🙌 👏 🙏 🤝 👍 you BET mate !!! In my village there are only idi-otts, so I need the internet. . .

[@carmenkaren5980]

A remarkable approach to consciousness. Thank you!

[@summergram]

Key Points: 1) Redefine consciousness as the ability to suffer. 2) If you have a theory of consciousness, can it provide a scale of suffering? 3) Always remember consciousness is not the same as intelligence!

[@benb3500]

So highly conscious people suffer more? Would newborns that are barely able to understand their surroundings suffer the same as well educated highly conscious adults?

[@nanasurbanas]

measuring is the disease of science, there is a lot of value in quality we haven´t take in account because we are fixed, obsessed with numbers, measuring, scales, quantities

[@brunoeumememoroni]

I guess he meant consciousness is the ability to have feelings, but for political and ethical reasons it is the ability to suffer the most important.

[@AbcDef-tj3zt]

@@brunoeumememoroni But then what about bliss that comes with Consciousness. Are we going to ignore the fact that we experience bliss and its amount is directly proportional to Consciousness

[@gloriaprimpas4732]

So who should we kill off ? What humans are just useless eaters? What if your kids or you yourself was on his list ?? Asking for a friend 🤷‍♀️

[@colindawson1530]

Insightful lecture from an amazing academic - From my perspective, above matter - consciousness is the basic universal principle.

[@bilalraziq9641]

Starting from we can't define consciousness to the promotion of LGBTQ rights in Israel is quite a huge step in 30 mins video lecture. Btw i have read all three of your books . i love your story telling skills.

[@jaspernewcomb5656]

Consciousness is being aware of yourself.

[@Glower22x4]

You are consciousness and awareness itself.

[@huizhechen3779]

No. Consciousness does not equal self-awareness.

[@Glower22x4]

@@huizhechen3779 I am aware of my foot and suffering and it is mine . I had a seizure in full consciousness and was aware of my whole body shaking but the doctors said this could not be so because in true seizure you lose consciousness and even awareness of time passage.

[@jaspernewcomb5656]

And Sam Harris is a genius and so is this make it all up as he goes guy. Have a nice meal of bugs and fake meat just leave me out of your story because your story is worthless invented by con men to sucker people into believing the "new normal" has anything to do with normal. Thanks but no thanks don't call us we'll call you. Get it, got it, good, don't let the door hit you on the way out. The nerve of these people

[@whistful5927]

@@Glower22x4Is it possible to be aware of your foot and suffering without taking ownership of either of those things?

[@aliuyar6365]

I have a deep respect for your personality and wisdom. God bless you.

[@reedbender1179]

He doesn't believe in God, and God isn't too happy with Noah.

[@jhonytand]

@@reedbender1179 bruh

[@alschmidt1560]

@@reedbender1179 "God IS D E A D" (Nietzsche)

[@elodiemoreau2329]

Thanks for this video, it underlines important points about social problems and application of ethical rules. But I have some questions. So if suffering is about the ability to reject reality and imagine other conditions, we come to the conclusion that many animals suffer, because they think and compare their situation with another possible situation they have in their mind ? Cannot we say that they just react to something that hurt them or scare them ? Do you think that they can imagine and compare their reality with another one they think about ? We know that animals suffer, love, hate but how can they make comparison with another idea they have in their mind if they don't have the capacity of creating projections of different possibilities? Isn't it an immediate response or a response after some repetitive actions ? So is it enough to describe consciousness in relation with the capacity of suffering whereas the capacity of suffering is explained with the ability to imagine other conditions that is related to the capacity of conceptualising oneself and the world in it's mind ? Why without this capacity, a being cannot suffer and have a certain level of consciousness ? Secondly, the hierarchy between the level of consciousness create ethical problems, that's true. But there are different levels of consciousness, even between humans, according to their capacity of being aware of the results of their actions and according to their capacity of being able to step back and think before acting according to the ability to evaluate different possibilities. Now, the ethical problems are they the results of these differences ? Or of our lack of seing the true value of everything without our personal interest or judgements coming from the way we see the world and ourself as separate things instead of seing that everything is interdependent in some way ? Don't you think that the difference between consciousness levels may not be the source of ethical problems but our way of seing and judging these differences may be the real source of the problems ?

[@michaelnirmalan]

Awareness of our external and internal environment gives us the ability to intervene in and modify their processes.

[@OracularArtax]

A very interesting topic that I would love to explore following your point of view. I would read with great enthusiasm a book on these topics written by you.

[@marianasalles242]

Brilliant✨👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@infinitygame18]

Love you Dear , Lets understand Fundamental reality in existence , I am learning

[@drawarefinky]

Why define consciousness by suffering, why not begin with the positive pleasure? Animals avoid suffering but pursue pleasure…

[@MB-fs4mi]

This video once more helped me alot to better understand this topic. Youval is a brilliant lecturer. The triviality worth mentioning is the hard problem of the many incommensurable moral standards we have like rights, universability, equality, freedom...We are fighting this game since enlightenment with obviously no convincing answer to built a new, more harmonious intersubjective reality on. (My favorite lecturer with an teleological approach here is Alister MacIntyre, After Virtue). Does finding agreement on a good enough and globaly accepted theory on how to deal with contiousness presuppose a better solution for this melange of unharmounious intersecting moral standards? Or does the research on consciousness help us to solve this problem?

[@roberthess3405]

I think the answer to both of your questions is no. 1) There is no good scientific reason why scientific consensus on a theory of consciousness, or any other scientific theory, should require global moral harmony. That's the beauty of science. It is independent of moral feelings and beliefs. The earth is not flat, no matter how many people feel or believe otherwise. 2) There is little or no reason to believe that research into the nature of consciousness will solve the problem of global moral disharmony. History has shown time and again that moral feelings and beliefs are generally immune to scientific findings. That is the reason why, for example, humanity is unable to effectively tackle the problems of climate change, racism, economic inequality, an many other issues that have straightforward scientific solutions.

[@Suresh8848m]

Wow....what an amazing and thoughtful talk that distinguishes between consciousness and intelligence with examples. Please keep going.

[@unnaamit4242]

Your talk was a mere reflection of Buddhist Philosophy

[@sudathweerakoon4984]

“Consciousness as ability to suffer “ goes very much in line with Buddhist teaching. What Buddha meant by “suffering” in his disclosures include all feelings joyful ones as well as painful ones. All kinds of feelings make you suffer . Consciousness (awareness)through recognition leads to suffering. Buddhist doctrine on dependent origination discuss this in length .accordingly suffering is not only reacting and rejecting it is also reacting and clinging or embracing.

[@InfiniteClarity]

IMHO Budda did not say it was consciousness that made one suffer...but the conscious application of "Desire" for something that could lead to suffering. Thus, 'letting go' of desire for some-thing would alleviate the suffering of not having it.

[@ssssss9643]

I like your content Yuval but I have to watch your videos twice to understand it. Keep up the work

[@brynbstn]

Great talk! High quality rational clarity around Consciousness and problems of ethics/law/politics. It makes sense that a democratic system is going to find something EVERYONE has in common as the baseline for determining legal/political outcomes - the Suffering Quotient. Yet I wonder how well this will turn out ... I'm not sure our legal system and law education system is set up to unravel the complicated problems of weighing suffering between individuals and groups. Many of these problems will have no clear answer. An interesting thought experiment would be to ask what will be the next baseline for legal outcomes? The gods - the king - the Natural Order - the Suffering Quotient - ???

[@actuallynph]

Thank you 🙏🏽

[@jorgearango6108]

That was extraordinary!! Thank you

[@janiebratt8826]

Wonderful! Thank you Yuval, we can not get enough of you and your depth of knowledge.

[@cindypope4238]

This man is Klaus Schwab's mini me and he is not your friend. He calls himself "the prophet" but he is not God's prophet but the devil's. Get it straight. He is an Israeli, radical, godplaying, homosexual atheist who thinks the Bible and Christ died for our sins and rose again is "fake news". Get on the side of truth. Eternity is a long time. Those who identify with Christ's suffering dying to self in order to live with Him by His Holy Spirit are blessed. We don't let feelings run our life but the Word of God which is for the best for all God's creatures. It is out plumbline. Nowadays militants like him want to force us to give up our humanity and our created in God's image birthright. They see us like cattle and their goal is total control and themselves as the superior powerful. Dangerous.

[@janiebratt8826]

@@cindypope4238 Are you nuts? Get a grip!

[@cindypope4238]

@@janiebratt8826Oh really? Truth is such a rare commodity these days.

[@janiebratt8826]

@@cindypope4238 And you haven't found any. Either find the truth or keep quiet.

[@cindypope4238]

@@janiebratt8826 Jesus is the truth.

[@shubhamsonakiya999]

Intelligence is the ability to solve problems while consciousness is the ability to feel pain , love , hate . Great 👍

[@nathaneckberg5921]

Yes! More people need to be saying this. Far too many people are confused about this.

[@williamreed862]

What do do think are the mechanisms within the human body by which consciousness is transmitted validated and categorized? And how does the brain interpret this consciousness in order to maintain cons iousn3ss and develop it further? What do you know about the FUNCTIONS of the skin and its intricate relationship to cons iousness?

[@shubhamsonakiya999]

@@williamreed862 I think consciousness is one and undifferentiated across every human being . Our mind categorising it like me and you . We can understand it like fuel in machine , without fuel machine can't work ... But fuel is same in all machine .

[@user-do7if2yv7h]

Thank you very much.I always delite to hear you.אתה אלוף

[@muditjain8784]

I believe in empathy which goes beyond my consciousness into looking from another’s point of view. But I draw the line, if I get an unpleasant response such as to dominate to oppress

[@jacquelinephillips5066]

Feelings like suffering, fear, love, friendship, happiness and so on are obviously experienced by animals, even if they are considered to not be conscious or to have consciousness

[@andybaldman]

How can anyone argue that animals are not conscious?

[@trekpac2]

I think that Yuval said that he thinks that all animals have consciousness.

[@antlerbandt5198]

Consciousness is nothing but a series of states in your mind in response to signals from the environment and keeping track of the components of your own body. When you have a way to express those states, you realize you are conscious.

[@timtimsen3967]

😂😂😂😂

[@uninvitedguest83]

Thank you so much for your Wisdom

[@Thewavechannel117]

Thank you Yuval for all your insightful thoughts, they are simply amazing. Question - Can feeling be also defined as an algorithm just like intelligence?

[@somraksprosty4174]

of course ☺️

[@anikatasnim6001]

This man explains science in such a simplified manner that people from any educational level or background will understand and learn with zero to no struggle. I'm grateful, his books and podcast educated me and helped me form a clearer view to the world.

[@galacticcuriosities4664]

Too trendy for real science imho. “Feelings” 😂

[@lthomas245]

Here's what he is really grooming his listener too... rumble.com/v1x51f0-yuval-noah-harari-ideally-the-response-to-covid.html?mref=4pvd7&mrefc=2

[@itzhakflorentin]

As usual I enjoy Yuval's unique point of view and his way of formulating and explaining it. It should be noted, though, that the capacity to suffer should not be evaluated independently at each point of time but rather the potential to have such a capacity to suffer in the future must be taken into consideration. A fetus of few days may not have the capacity to suffer but he surly will grow one. By the same token an unconscious person is still a conscious creature.

[@lawrencemotsomi977]

A crucial point worth consideration.

[@incognitotorpedo42]

An early fetus has no memories or capacity to think, and will not have them for a long time, but an unconscious adult has both immediately after awakening.

[@trekpac2]

I think you are getting ahead of yourself. Am I wet because sometime in the future I will surely jump into the water?

[@sysfx]

Important, lucid, and timely alert. Besides here, has this speech (text) been published? Where?

[@balaji-kartha]

I think Yuval needs to give talks in democratic parliaments around the world! I know he has written a book for children because that is the best way to ensure a better future - educate the children! But to make changes in the present and near term he needs to reach people who are in power today!