How Does Consciousness Work? | Anil Seth

Perception

Our perception of reality is heavily influenced by our brain's expectations and predictions. Anil Seth explains how our brains perform a kind of biological white balancing, allowing us to perceive consistent colors despite changes in lighting conditions. This process, however, can vary between individuals, as demonstrated by the viral debate over the color of a dress, highlighting the subjective nature of perception 1. Seth also notes that our beliefs are similarly shaped by prior expectations, affecting how we interpret information and form conclusions 2.

Even if we see the same information, our prior expectations about how the world is structured, how it operates, are going to change our conclusions from that data quite radically.

--- Anil Seth

This understanding extends to art, where artists like Leonardo da Vinci exploit these perceptual tendencies to evoke specific experiences in viewers.

   

Psychedelics

Predictive states significantly impact our consciousness and experiences, especially in altered states like those induced by psychedelics. Alex J O'Connor discusses how one's mood prior to a psychedelic experience can influence whether the trip is perceived as positive or negative, as the brain's expectations shape the experience 3. Seth elaborates on how psychedelics reveal the material nature of consciousness by altering brain activity and thus changing our perception of reality 4.

The brain does look pretty different in the psychedelic state. And it's different in very many ways. Almost everywhere you want to look at it, you'll find a difference.

--- Anil Seth

These experiences underscore the constructed nature of our reality and self, challenging the notion that our everyday perceptions are direct reflections of the external world.