Carlo Rovelli Argues There Is No Hard Problem of Consciousness
Theoretical physicist Carlo Rovelli, known for his work on quantum gravity, challenges the widely accepted notion of a "hard problem of consciousness" in an essay for Noema Magazine. He argues that the supposed explanatory gap between brain processes and subjective experience is an artifact of dualistic thinking inherited from medieval notions of a transcendent soul. Rovelli traces cultural resistance to scientific advances—from Copernicus to Darwin—and contends that consciousness is a complex natural phenomenon, not a metaphysical mystery. He critiques philosopher David Chalmers' 1994 formulation of the hard problem and the concept of philosophical zombies, calling the argument self-defeating. Rovelli insists that mental life is consistent with physics and that the soul is part of nature, urging an end to pernicious dualism.
Key facts
- Carlo Rovelli is a theoretical physicist known for quantum gravity.
- The essay was published by Noema Magazine.
- Rovelli argues there is no 'hard problem of consciousness'.
- He traces cultural resistance to scientific advances from Copernicus to Darwin.
- David Chalmers introduced the hard problem in a 1994 talk in Tucson.
- Rovelli calls the philosophical zombie argument self-defeating.
- He cites philosopher Baruch Spinoza as anticipating his view.
- Rovelli concludes that the soul is consistent with fundamental physics.
Entities
Institutions
- Noema Magazine
Locations
- Tucson
- United States