Episode Details

Michael Huemer returns to the channel to discuss arguments for and against skepticism, the thesis that we cannot know much of anything, including whether or not we are dreaming right now. Other topics discussed: direct realism about perception and the arguments from illusion and hallucination, phenomenal conservatism, and the costs and benefits of self-publishing.Video of this interview is available on YouTube.

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EPISODE CHAPTERS

00:00:00 Introduction

00:00:44 What got Michael into self-publishing?

00:08:35 How do I know I'm not dreaming right now?

00:21:46 The argument for external world skepticism

00:26:57 A critique of phenomenal conservatism

00:32:29 Is a "real external world" the best explanation of our evidence?

00:46:00 Direct versus indirect perceptual realism

00:51:08 The argument from illusion

00:56:11 The argument from hallucination

01:03:05 Can we know we're not in a simulation?

01:12:01 The problem of other minds