
#147 What is PURE Consciousness? - Thomas Metzinger
From Within Reason by Alex J O'Connor
March 18, 2026 · 2h 3m
About this episode
In this episode, Alex J O'Connor interviews philosopher Thomas Metzinger about the concept of pure consciousness and its implications.
Get Huel today with this exclusive offer for New Customers of 15% OFF with code alexoconnor at https://huel.com/alexoconnor (Minimum $50 purchase). For early, ad-free access to videos, and to support the channel, subscribe to my Substack: https://www.alexoconnor.com. Thomas Metzinger is a German philosopher and Professor Emeritus of theoretical philosophy at the University of Mainz. His primary research areas include philosophy of mind, philosophy of neuroscience, and applied ethics, particularly focusing on neurotechnology, virtual reality, and artificial intelligence. Get The Elephant and the Blind: The Experience of Pure Consciousness: Philosophy, Science, and 500+ Experiential Reports TIMESTAMPS 0:00 - The Minimal Phenomenal Experience Project 11:34 - Is MPE New Age Meditation? 17:07 - Collecting Reports of Pure Consciousness 25:48 - Lucid Deep Sleep - Thomas’ Experience 32:19 - Does Consciousness Require Complexity? 39:29 - The Power of Meditation 45:32 - Is Meditation Always a Positive Experience? 53:13 - Is a MPE Actually an Experience? 01:11:21 - Your Brain is Not Telling You the Truth 01:20:08 - Analysing Minimal Conscious Experiences 01:27:26 - Is Meditative…
People in this episode
Host: Alex J O'Connor
Guest: Thomas Metzinger
Topics covered
- pure consciousness
- philosophy of mind
- meditation
- neurotechnology
- virtual reality
- artificial intelligence
Keywords
- pure consciousness
- meditation
- neurotechnology
- philosophy
- Thomas Metzinger
- MPE
- virtual reality
Sponsors
Huel
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: University of Mainz
Products: Huel
Books & works: The Elephant and the Blind: The Experience of Pure Consciousness: Philosophy, Science, and 500+ Experiential Reports
More episodes of Within Reason
- #157 How a Blind Man Sees the World - Tommy Edison · June 8, 2026 · 1h 4m
- #156 Mysticism: The Heretics Who Got Too Close to God - Simon Critchley · May 26, 2026 · 1h 18m
- #155 AI Music is Not Music - Adam Neely · May 13, 2026 · 1h 57m
- #154 Happiness: Epicurus' Ancient Guide - Jonny Thomson · May 4, 2026 · 1h 49m
- #153 If Anyone Builds It, EVERYONE Dies - AI Expert on Superintelligence · April 26, 2026 · 1h 35m
- #152 Why AI Will Never Be Conscious · April 20, 2026 · 1h 42m
Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Within Reason podcast page.