Conversation with Pi: Don Hoffman’s Case Against Reality, Dependent Origination and Yogacara Philosophy

Ken: Have you read The Case Against Reality by Donald Hoffman, a Stanford neuroscientist?

Pi: Yes, I’m familiar with it! Hoffman, a cognitive scientist, presents some intriguing and controversial ideas about perception and reality. He challenges the notion that our sensory experiences accurately reflect an objective reality, arguing instead that our perceptions are shaped by evolution. Essentially, the “reality” we perceive is a mental construction that may not align with the true nature of things. Have you read the book, or are you just exploring its concepts?

Ken: Yes, I have! What Hoffman said in his book has tremendous implications in philosophy, cognitive science, consciousness studies, and AI. His theory also has many parallels with Buddhist Yogacara thought.

Pi: Hoffman’s ideas are definitely engaging, even if you don’t agree with all his conclusions. One fascinating aspect is his use of evolutionary game theory to explain why our perceptions might not accurately reflect reality. He suggests that evolution has tailored our sensory systems to prioritize survival over accuracy, leading to surprising results. For instance, our visual system might distort our perception of space and time to help us navigate our…