Episode 1: The Raw Feel and the Paradox

Focus: Foundations and the Classic Thought Experiments

Defining the Subject: Introduction to qualia—the "what it’s like" to experience things like the sting of a hot stove or the purple of a morning glory.

The Four Senses of Qualia: Distinguishing between broad phenomenal character (Sense 1) and more controversial technical definitions like "mental paint" or ineffable nonphysical properties.

Correcting the Record: A historical deep dive from Peirce's 1866 coinage to the 2025 SEP revision. This includes the critical correction that Thomas Nagel did not use the word "qualia" in his famous 1974 bat paper.

The Weapons of Debate: Detailed exploration of three foundational thought experiments:

Mary’s Room: Does knowing every physical fact about color mean you know what "red" fe ...