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Neuroscientist claims evolution proves humans see zero percent of objective reality

StarTalk Radio · Is Reality Really Real? With Donald Hoffman · July 2, 2026
Neuroscientist claims evolution proves humans see zero percent of objective reality
StarTalk Radio
StarTalk Radio
Is Reality Really Real? With Donald Hoffman
"The probability is zero that any organism has ever been shaped at any time to see any aspect of objective reality as it is. It's just precisely zero. I didn't expect that when I went into it."
Professor Donald Hoffman asserts that mathematical evolutionary game theory demonstrates humans were not evolved to perceive objective reality but rather to maximize reproductive fitness. He argues that natural selection shaped organisms with a VR headset view of the world rather than an accurate window into reality, comparing humans to jewel beetles that mistake beer bottles for mates.
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StarTalk Radio
StarTalk Radio

Is Reality Really Real? With Donald Hoffman

August 3, 2026 · 1h 13m · 4 Egleze moments
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