Cover of The Case Against Reality

Book · 2019 · Psychology

The Case Against Reality

Why Evolution Hid the Truth from Our Eyes

by Donald David Hoffman · Brought up by 6 people on 5 podcasts

episodes
7
podcasts
5
people
6
episode recommends it
1

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In your book, The Case Against Reality: Why Evolution Hid the Truth From Our Eyes, you make the bold claim that the world we see with our eyes is not real.
Lex Fridman · Lex Fridman Podcast · Jun 2022 Listen at 1:20

Questions about The Case Against Reality by Donald David Hoffman

Who recommends The Case Against Reality by Donald David Hoffman on podcasts?

Steven Bartlett (1 episode) has recommended The Case Against Reality by Donald David Hoffman on podcasts. In all, 6 people brought it up across 5 podcasts (1 person recommended it).

Which podcasts mention The Case Against Reality the most?

Lex Fridman Podcast (3 episodes), Modern Wisdom (1 episode), The Diary Of A CEO with Steven Bartlett (1 episode), The Rich Roll Podcast (1 episode) and The Tim Ferriss Show (1 episode).

Is The Case Against Reality recommended, or only discussed?

The Case Against Reality by Donald David Hoffman was recommended in 1 episode and discussed without a recommendation in 6 episodes, as of 2025-07-31.

What do people say about The Case Against Reality?

Lex Fridman on Lex Fridman Podcast (2022-06-12): "In your book, The Case Against Reality: Why Evolution Hid the Truth From Our Eyes, you make the bold claim that the world we see with our eyes is not real."

When was The Case Against Reality last mentioned on a podcast?

The Case Against Reality by Donald David Hoffman was last recommended on The Diary Of A CEO with Steven Bartlett by Steven Bartlett on 2025-07-31.

What they say about it

Grouped from 7 episodes
  • Author and title mentioned“the case against reality”
    9
  • Shaped speaker thinking“most of my thinking is shaped”
    2

The best things said about it

3 of 10 · every mention
Discussed
He's the author of over 120 scientific papers on these topics, and his most recent book, titled The Case Against Reality: Why Evolution Hid The Truth From Our Eyes.
Lex Fridman Lex Fridman Podcast · Jun 2022
Discussed
I believe his name is Donald Hoffman who is a cognitive scientist, also computer scientist at UC Irvine and he has a book that's called the believe the case against reality and also a TED Talk.
Tim Ferriss The Tim Ferriss Show · Oct 2021
Discussed
Most of my thinking is shaped by a book I read recently called The Case Against Reality which introduced me to this concept.
Robert Breedlove Lex Fridman Podcast · Apr 2021

Where and when it comes up

6 people who brought it up

Most recommendations first

Why people recommend it

The Case Against Reality by Donald David Hoffman is a scientific exploration arguing that human perception is an evolutionary interface rather than a direct window into objective truth. Steven Bartlett recommended Donald Hoffman's book on The Diary Of A CEO with Steven Bartlett, suggesting listeners dive into the work to explore the deeper concepts of reality and perception. Lex Fridman frequently discussed the book on the Lex Fridman Podcast, noting on multiple occasions that Hoffman has authored over 120 scientific papers and exploring the author's bold claim that the world perceived by human eyes is not actually real. Tim Ferriss also brought up Donald Hoffman's book on The Tim Ferriss Show while examining human perception, memory, and related scientific talks. Furthermore, Robert Breedlove mentioned the book on the Lex Fridman Podcast, explaining that Hoffman's work profoundly shaped his personal worldview, particularly regarding space-time and the foundational philosophy of reality. The widespread discussion across these major podcasts highlights the profound intellectual impact of Hoffman's challenge to conventional evolutionary psychology and human consciousness.

Every mention

10 quotes from 7 episodes · 6 passing or ad reads below
Steven Bartlett It's called The Case Against Reality, How Evolution Hid the Truth from Our Eyes. 1
Recommended
“It's called The Case Against Reality, How Evolution Hid the Truth from Our Eyes.”
Lex Fridman yes uh in his bookcase against reality yeah many more than a few 2
Discussed
“yes uh in his bookcase against reality yeah many more than a few”
Discussed
“He's the author of over 120 scientific papers on these topics, and his most recent book, titled "The Case Against Reality: Why Evolution Hid The Truth From Our Eyes."”
Discussed
“In your book, "The Case Against Reality, why Evolution Hid the Truth From Our Eyes," you make the bold claim that the world we see with our eyes is not real.”
Discussed
“In your book, "The Case Against Reality: Why Evolution Hid the Truth From Our Eyes," you make the bold claim that the world we see with our eyes is not real.”
Annaka Harris actually Donald Hofmann is doing this work I don't know if you're aware of him he's very interesting he has… 1
Discussed
“actually Donald Hofmann is doing this work I don't know if you're aware of him he's very interesting he has a book coming out in August called the case against reality”
Chris Williamson oh is this the author of the case against reality yes 1
Discussed
“oh is this the author of the case against reality yes”
Robert Breedlove most of my thinking is shaped by a book I read recently called the case against reality um which introduced… 1
Discussed
“most of my thinking is shaped by a book I read recently called the case against reality um which introduced me to this concept”
Discussed
“and um I I I condition all of this with saying that a lot most of my thinking is shaped by a book I read recently called the case against reality um which introduced me to this concept”
Tim Ferriss So, I'll I'll correct it in the show notes if I do, but I believe his name is Donald Hoffman who is a cogni… 1
Discussed
“So, I'll I'll correct it in the show notes if I do, but I believe his name is Donald Hoffman who is a cognitive scientist, also computer scientist at UC Irvine and he has a book that's called the believe the case against reality and also a TED Talk.”
Other mentions (6: passing, ad reads, own books)
Plugged
“And if you have another book, let me know. The case against reality. No. Shots fired.”
Plugged
“Before you get there, that's an important question, okay, that I address in my recently published book. Oh, take me to your leader. Uh there's a whole chapter on alien powers that they could have.”
Plugged
“I've used a lot of my book Case Against Reality talks about it in great detail. It's a wonderful theory.”
Plugged
“I've used it a lot; my book, Case Against Reality, talks about it in great detail.”
Plugged
“He's the author of over 120 scientific papers on these topics, and his most recent book, titled "The Case Against Reality, Why Evolution Hid The Truth From Our Eyes."”
Plugged
“He is an author of over 120 scientific papers and three books, including The Case Against Reality: Why Evolution Hid the Truth from Our Eyes.”

Portraits from Wikimedia Commons: Lex Fridman, lexfridman / Wikimedia Commons (CC0); Tim Ferriss, Mukhatir at English Wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0); Chris Williamson, CiaPeterson / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0).