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#147 What is PURE Consciousness? - Thomas Metzinger

March 18, 2026 · 2 h 3 min

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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 Enlightenment Unethical?
(01:32:37) Western Ignorance of Eastern Tradition
(01:40:13) “Coming Home”
(01:44:29) The Political Implications of MPE
(01:52:40) Should Ketamine Be Legalised?

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