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Here are some insightful Robert Lawrence Kuhn quotes on consciousness, drawn from his work—especially his expansive 2024 paper A Landscape of Consciousness: Toward a Taxonomy of Explanations and Implications, along with commentary from his interviews and podcasts:
Key Quotes from Robert Lawrence Kuhn
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“A sub rosa motivation has the ever-haunting presence of a teenage thought: ‘Should a being who can perceive eternity be denied it?’”
Kuhn reflects on the deeper, almost poetic drive behind his lifelong quest to understand consciousness—from purely scientific roots, this profound question quietly guided his passion. (Landscape of Consciousness) -
“I have discussed consciousness with over 200 scientists and philosophers. Landscape is the product of a lifetime.”
Highlighting the breadth of his exploration, Kuhn emphasizes that his taxonomy is the culmination of decades of dialogue and research. (EurekAlert!, Phys.org) -
“Although there are families of mind-body problems, I focus tightly on phenomenal consciousness: our inner awareness, ‘what it feels like to be’ something.”
This underscores his central concern: the subjective, first-person quality of experience. (EurekAlert!, Phys.org) -
“My purpose must be humble: collect and categorize, not assess and adjudicate. Seek insights, not answers.”
A clear statement of his scholarly approach—curating diverse perspectives without forcing judgment. (EurekAlert!, SciTechDaily) -
“Understanding consciousness at this point cannot be limited to selected ways of thinking or knowing, but should seek expansive yet rational diversity.”
Emphasizing openness and pluralism in the study of consciousness. (EurekAlert!, SciTechDaily, Deep Transformation Podcast) -
“My own hunch, right here, right now might be something of a Dualism-Idealism mashup. Second place might go to some form of Quantum Consciousness… Third place, counterintuitively, to a kind of Eliminative Materialism/Illusionism, combined with Neurobiological and Representational Theories.”
Kuhn candidly shares how his own evolving views span multiple frameworks—even surprising to himself. (EurekAlert!, Phys.org) -
“Smart, serious folks believe radically different theories; what I believe doesn’t much matter.”
A humble acknowledgment: the diversity of credible viewpoints often outweighs any singular position. (EurekAlert!, Phys.org) -
“It’s not that we have too many theories of consciousness, it’s that we have one too few.”
From a 2025 podcast, Kuhn suggests the problem isn't excess theories—it's the absence of a single unifying framework. (Deep Transformation Podcast) -
“Consciousness is perhaps the single most unifying question that humanity can explore.”
He underscores consciousness as the ultimate existential thread that ties us all together. (Deep Transformation Podcast)
Summary: What These Quotes Reveal
Kuhn’s approach to consciousness is defined by humility, curiosity, and inclusivity. He meticulously catalogs a vast array of philosophical and scientific theories—over 200 of them—acknowledging the complexity without forcing simplification. His reflections demonstrate both the wonder behind his inquiries and his recognition of the full spectrum of credible perspectives.
Would you like me to dig out related quotes from other thinkers featured in Closer to Truth or explore Kuhn’s taxonomy in more detail?
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