Watch Redefining Reality: The Intellectual Implications of Modern Science

Redefining Reality: The Intellectual Implications of Modern Science is a fascinating and thought-provoking course produced by The Great Courses and hosted by renowned philosopher and professor Steven Gimbel. The series delves into the profound ways that modern science is transforming the way we understand the world around us, and the implications these discoveries have for our worldview and our place within the universe.

The course is divided into 24 lectures, each of which focuses on a specific scientific discovery or concept that upends traditional assumptions about reality. These range from the fundamental laws of physics and the nature of time and space, to the latest discoveries in neuroscience, genetic engineering, and artificial intelligence.

Throughout the series, Professor Gimbel challenges viewers to reexamine their most deeply held beliefs and assumptions about the nature of reality. Drawing on insights from philosophy, history, and science, he invites viewers to explore the many ways that modern science has forced us to rethink our place in the universe and our relationship to the natural world.

One of the central themes of the course is the way that science has shattered our preconceptions about the nature of reality itself. As Professor Gimbel explains, discoveries like the theory of relativity and quantum mechanics have revealed that the universe operates according to principles that are far stranger and more complex than we ever imagined. These discoveries challenge our most basic notions of causality, determinism, and objectivity, and suggest that the world is far more mysterious and elusive than we ever imagined.

Another major focus of the series is the way that science has transformed our understanding of the human mind and consciousness. Professor Gimbel explores the latest discoveries in neuroscience and cognitive psychology that suggest that our conscious experience, our sense of self, and even our most basic emotions are all rooted in complex neural processes that are only beginning to be understood.

The series also examines the profound ethical and social implications of modern science, particularly in areas like genetic engineering and artificial intelligence. Professor Gimbel explores the many ways that these technologies have the potential to transform human life, and the many difficult ethical questions they raise about the limits of human intervention and the nature of personhood.

Overall, Redefining Reality: The Intellectual Implications of Modern Science is a captivating and enlightening course that will challenge viewers to rethink their most basic assumptions about the world around them. Professor Gimbel's engaging and accessible style makes even the most complex scientific concepts easy to understand, and his insights into the philosophical and cultural implications of these discoveries are both insightful and thought-provoking. Whether you are a scientist, a philosopher, or simply a curious learner, this series is sure to leave you with a deeper appreciation for the mysteries and wonders of the natural world.

Redefining Reality: The Intellectual Implications of Modern Science is a series that ran for 1 seasons (36 episodes) between June 26, 2015 and on The Great Courses