The Uncertainty Podcast

#97 Why Belief in the Soul Makes Sense - Ralph Stefan Weir

August 27, 2026·1h 35m
Episode Description from the Publisher

Ralph Weir answers all my questions about the mind-body problem, how we define "physical," whether I can conceive of philosophical zombies, and where panpsychism fits into all this.Video of this interview is available on YouTube.To support the channel, do please oh please consider donating, either via PayPal or Buy Me a Coffee.Follow me on X because you’re awesome.EPISODE CHAPTERS:00:00:00 Introduction00:02:35 How Ralph got into philosophy of mind00:05:52 Eliminativism: do mental states exist?00:09:00 What is illusionism?00:10:56 What is phenomenal consciousness?00:17:53 What are qualia?00:21:33 What does “physical” actually mean?00:29:03 Is panpsychism a form of physicalism?00:35:45 Mapping the mind-body problem00:45:16 Property dualism vs. substance dualism00:53:10 What is the strongest case against physicalism?01:00:32 Philosophical zombies and modal skepticism01:10:23 Can science settle the mind-body problem?01:18:20 Mental causation and physical anomalies01:22:31 Does the evidence favor physicalism?01:34:07 Which philosophical view is Ralph most uncertain about? Get full access to Miles K. Donahue at mileskdonahue.substack.com/subscribe

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