Story perspectives

Pollan Explores Consciousness: Feelings Over Thoughts in New Book

2/24/2026

Summary

Story summary

Michael Pollan, author of A World Appears: A Journey Into Consciousness, surveys consciousness through interviews with scientists.
He argues feeling precedes thought in consciousness, challenging view that rationality drives it.
The book highlights ethical implications of consciousness, raising questions about how we treat sentient beings and potential suffering of AI.
Pollan's journey culminates in cave meditation as he grapples with self and existence and arrives at no definitive conclusions.

History

Historical Context

Richard Alpert, known as Ram Dass, published "Be Here Now" in 1971, which sparked a growing interest in consciousness and spirituality, with over 60% of Americans expressing interest by the 1990s. This cultural shift laid the groundwork for contemporary discussions on consciousness, as seen in Michael Pollan's upcoming book, "A World Appears," which explores ethical considerations surrounding consciousness in both sentient beings and artificial intelligence.

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Story summary

Michael Pollan, author of A World Appears: A Journey Into Consciousness, surveys consciousness through interviews with scientists.
He argues feeling precedes thought in consciousness, challenging view that rationality drives it.
The book highlights ethical implications of consciousness, raising questions about how we treat sentient beings and potential suffering of AI.
Pollan's journey culminates in cave meditation as he grapples with self and existence and arrives at no definitive conclusions.

1 / 2