Thomas Nagel

Mentioned in 8 analyzed podcast episodes across 8 shows

A philosopher at NYU known for his seminal essay "What Is It Like to Be a Bat?" which defines consciousness through qualitative, subjective experience. His work on consciousness is frequently cited in podcast discussions exploring the nature of human experience and philosophical questions about perception. He has also contributed to broader intellectual conversations, including writing a foreword to Arnold Zuboff's work on universalism.

Appears On

Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard Science Weekly Chasing Life People Who Read People: A Behavior and Psychology Podcast The Daily The Daily The Interview Sean Carroll's Mindscape: Science, Society, Philosophy, Culture, Arts, and Ideas

Episode Appearances

Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard · Apr 1, 2026

Michael Pollan Returns (on consciousness)

“Author of 'What Is It Like to Be a Bat' essay defining consciousness through subjective experience”

Consciousness definition and the hard problem of subjective experienceEvolution of consciousness and theory of mind in social primatesPlant sentience and neurobiology of plants

View Analysis

Science Weekly · Mar 24, 2026

What sets human consciousness apart from AI?

“Wrote famous essay 'What Is it like to be a Bat?' about consciousness”

Consciousness studiesAI consciousness and machine sentienceInner experience and thought patterns

View Analysis

Chasing Life · Feb 27, 2026

The Miracle and Mystery of Consciousness

“Philosopher cited for 'What Is It Like to Be a Bat?' essay defining consciousness through qualitative experience”

Definition and nature of consciousnessNeuroscience of consciousness and brain localizationPsychedelic therapy and consciousness research

View Analysis

People Who Read People: A Behavior and Psychology Podcast · Feb 21, 2026

Is your existence improbable? Or inevitable? Exploring universalism with Arnold Zuboff

“Respected philosopher who wrote the foreword to Zuboff's book; known for 'What Is It Like to Be a Bat?' paper on consciousness”

Open Individualism and Universalism PhilosophyPersonal Identity and ConsciousnessAnthropic Principle and Fine-Tuning

View Analysis

The Daily · Feb 7, 2026

'The Interview': Michael Pollan Says Humanity Is About to Undergo a Revolutionary Change

“NYU philosopher whose 1970s essay 'What Is It Like to Be a Bat?' provides foundational framework for defining consciousness”

The Hard Problem of ConsciousnessEmbodiment and Feelings as Basis of ConsciousnessAI Consciousness and the Turing Test

View Analysis

The Daily · Feb 7, 2026

'The Interview': Michael Pollan Says Humanity Is About to Undergo a Revolutionary Change

“NYU philosopher cited for his 'What is it like to be a bat?' consciousness definition”

Hard problem of consciousnessAI consciousness and machine sentiencePanpsychism and consciousness theories

View Analysis

The Interview · Feb 7, 2026

Michael Pollan Says Humanity Is About to Undergo a Revolutionary Change

“NYU philosopher cited for his influential essay 'What Is It Like to Be a Bat?' on defining consciousness through subjective experience”

The Hard Problem of ConsciousnessEmbodied Cognition and ConsciousnessArtificial Intelligence and Machine Consciousness

View Analysis

Sean Carroll's Mindscape: Science, Society, Philosophy, Culture, Arts, and Ideas · Jan 5, 2026

339 | Ned Block on Whether Consciousness Requires Biology

“NYU philosopher known for 'what is it like to be' framework for understanding consciousness, cited as agreeing on hard problem”

Phenomenal Consciousness vs. Access ConsciousnessComputational Functionalism and Its LimitationsAI Consciousness and Machine Sentience

View Analysis