L.A. Paul: Cognitive Science, Metaphysics, & Transformative Experience | Robinson's Podcast #40

L.A. Paul is the Millstone Family Professor of Philosophy and Professor of Cognitive Science at Yale University. After doing her graduate work on causation and time at Princeton under the guidance of David Lewis, Laurie wrote her groundbreaking book Transformative Experience, and since then has been exploring the intersection of cognitive science and metaphysics (in addition to a myriad of other pursuits). Laurie and Robinson talk about how she went from her undergraduate studies in chemistry and biology to philosophy, the origins of Transformative Experience, and what cognitive science can contribute to the philosophy of time and causation.
00:00 Introduction
2:59 Laurie's Scientific Background
17:41 How Laurie Arrived at the Idea of Transformative Experience (TE)
24:58 Vampires and TE
30:11 Parenthood and TE
34:09 Insect Ice Cream, Durian Fruit, and TE
41:35 Jorge Luis Borges, Embodiment, and TE
46:23 Solving Problems Involving TEs
54:08 Marrying Cognitive Science and Metaphysics
59:12 Time in Philosophy and Cognitive Science
01:10:03 On Subjective Metaphysics
01:15:14 Laurie on Fashion
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