The Jordan B. Peterson Podcast – 387. What You See and Feel is Not Reality | Dr. Donald Hoffman

Intro

In this episode of “The Jordan B. Peterson Podcast,” Dr. Jordan B. Peterson sits down with Dr. Donald Hoffman to discuss the complexities of perception, the relationship between consciousness and reality, and the implications of evolutionary theory. Dr. Hoffman, a cognitive scientist and philosopher, challenges our assumptions about perception and sheds light on how our understanding of reality is shaped by evolutionary processes.

Main Takeaways

Evolutionary Theory and Perception

• Perception is more complex than people think, and assumptions are often made without realizing it.
• Evolution shapes sensory systems to serve as a user interface, similar to the desktop on a computer.
• Perception doesn’t map one-to-one on reality, and there may be a higher order set of integrated constraints that serve reproduction over the long run.
• Our understanding of reality is constrained by our embodiment and the functions we need to perform.

Constraints and Motivational Systems

• Building a bridge involves many constraints, including materials, labor, and durability.
• Engineers and people in general understand these constraints without needing to discuss them explicitly.
• These constraints are nested within even higher-order constraints that are Darwinian in nature.
• Shared perceptions, embodiment, and inculturation are a result of a broader Darwinian process.
• Our actions are constrained by a Darwinian set of constraints that are instantiated in motivational systems.
• Motivational systems cause conflict, and the cortex evolved to mediate sub-cortical conflicts.

Consciousness and Reality

• Perception serves optimized long-term survival and is not shaped to see reality as it is.
• Evolution has given humans a simplified interface to interact with reality, which hides the true nature of reality.
• Our perception of reality is constrained in order to be perceived, as it is too complex to comprehend otherwise.
• Darwin’s theory has implications for both ontology and epistemology, and the pragmatists were the first to realize this.
• Facts are motivated and nested inside a motivational system, which challenges the notion of objective materialism.

Summary

Evolutionary Theory and Perception

Dr. Hoffman explains that perception is more complex than we realize, and our assumptions about reality are often implicit. He suggests that evolution shapes our sensory systems to serve as a user interface, similar to the desktop on a computer. However, perception doesn’t provide a one-to-one mapping of reality, as there may be higher-order constraints that prioritize reproductive success over an accurate representation of the world. Our understanding of reality is constrained by our embodiment and the functions we need to perform.

Constraints and Motivational Systems

Dr. Hoffman discusses how constraints play a crucial role in our perception and behavior. Whether it’s building a bridge or making everyday decisions, we navigate a complex web of constraints without explicitly discussing them. These constraints are nested within a broader Darwinian framework, shaping shared perceptions, embodiment, and inculturation. Our actions are guided by motivational systems that often lead to conflicts, and the evolution of the cortex enables us to mediate these conflicts.

Consciousness and Reality

Dr. Hoffman challenges the notion that our perception accurately reflects reality. He suggests that evolution has given us a simplified interface to interact with reality, hiding its true nature. Our perception of reality is constrained to make it perceivable, as the complexity of reality is beyond our comprehension. Darwin’s theory has implications for both ontology and epistemology, highlighting the role of motivation and nested facts within a broader motivational system. This challenges the idea of objective materialism.

Conclusion

Dr. Donald Hoffman’s insights into perception, evolutionary theory, and consciousness challenge our assumptions about reality. By understanding the constraints and motivations that shape our perception, we can gain a deeper appreciation for the complexity and limitations of our understanding. The podcast leaves us with a sense of wonder and a desire to explore the metaphysics of ethics and the boundaries of scientific theories in future conversations.