Buddhism, Mind, and Cognitive Science - UC Berkeley Conference

Buddhism, Mind, and Cognitive Science Conference, April 25-26, 2014, UC Berkeley

This conference is dedicated to the exploration of the methodological underpinnings of the current encounter between Buddhism and cognitive science. Among the presenters and panelists are:

• Dan Arnold (Philosophy of Religion, University of Chicago)
• Lawrence Barsalou (Psychology, Emory University)
• Christian Coseru (Philosophy, College of Charleston)
• Georges Dreyfus (Buddhist Studies, Williams College)
• John Dunne (Buddhist Studies, Emory University)
• Laurence Kirmayer (Psychiatry, McGill University)
• Antoine Lutz (Neuroscience Research Center)
• Lyon Thomas Metzinger (Philosophy, Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz)
• Clifford Saron (Neuroscience, UC Davis)
• Robert Sharf (Buddhist Studies, UC Berkeley)
• Rebecca Todd (Psychology, University of British Columbia)
• Evan Thompson (Philosophy, University of British Columbia)
• John Tresch (History and Sociology of Science, University of Pennsylvania)
• Carol Worthman (Anthropology, Emory University)

This conference is dedicated to the exploration of the methodological underpinnings of the current encounter between Buddhism and cognitive science. Recently this encounter has been criticized for failing to take account of the historical and cultural complexities of Buddhist thought and practice; failing to reflect the most recent developments in cognitive science; neglecting the hermeneutic issues that complicate attempts to relate traditional Buddhist psychology to contemporary scientific theories; and neglecting traditional Buddhist epistemologies that are incompatible with the “neurophysicalism” that motivates some of the scientific research. Is there a way to mitigate the methodological (historical, hermeneutic, philosophical) quandaries that threaten to unravel the Buddhism-cognitive science dialogue? Is there a way to bring these disparate traditions into conversation without sacrificing the intellectual depth and sophistication of each? Or is such an endeavor misguided in principle? Is it merely another in a long history of attempts to legitimize Buddhism by claiming its compatibility with science? This conference is interested in exploring how, if at all, the encounter might move forward.

Further event details and registration information can be found on the Buddhist Studies website.

Part of the Thinking the Self Initiative.

Session 1:

Welcoming Remarks
Robert Sharf (Buddhist Studies), University of California, Berkeley

Buddhism and Cognitive Science: How Can the Dialogue Move Forward?
Evan Thompson (Philosophy), University of British Columbia

Contemplating a Way Forward: Meditation Research Unnaturalized, but not Unnatural
Clifford Saron (Neuroscience), University of California, Davis

Session 2 Presentations:

Chair: Robert Sharf (Buddhist Studies), University of California, Berkeley

Presentations:

• John Dunne (Buddhist Studies), Emory University Antoine Lutz
• Lawrence Barsalou (Psychology), Emory University
• Antoine Lutz (Neuroscience), Neuroscience Research Center, Lyon
• Rebecca Todd (Psychology), University of British Columbia
• Laurence Kirmayer (Psychiatry), McGill University
• Carol Worthman (Anthropology), Emory University

Session Two Panel Discussion:

• Robert Sharf (Buddhist Studies), University of California, Berkeley
• John Dunne (Buddhist Studies), Emory University Antoine Lutz
• Lawrence Barsalou (Psychology), Emory University
• Antoine Lutz (Neuroscience), Neuroscience Research Center, Lyon
• Rebecca Todd (Psychology), University of British Columbia
• Laurence Kirmayer (Psychiatry), McGill University
• Carol Worthman (Anthropology), Emory University
• Evan Thompson (Philosophy), University of British Columbia
• Clifford Saron (Neuroscience), University of California, Davis
• Christian Coseru (Philosophy), College of Charleston
• Thomas Metzinger (Philosophy), Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz
• Dan Arnold (Philosophy of Religion), University of Chicago
• Georges Dreyfus (Buddhist Studies), Williams College
• John Tresch (History and Sociology of Science), University of Pennsylvania 

Session Three Presentations:

Chair: Evan Thompson (Philosophy), University of British Columbia

Presentations:

• Christian Coseru (Philosophy), College of Charleston
• Thomas Metzinger (Philosophy), Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz
• Dan Arnold (Philosophy of Religion), University of Chicago
• Georges Dreyfus (Buddhist Studies), Williams College
• Robert Sharf (Buddhist Studies), University of California, Berkeley
• John Tresch (History and Sociology of Science), University of Pennsylvania 

Session Three Panel Discussion:

• Robert Sharf (Buddhist Studies), University of California, Berkeley
• John Dunne (Buddhist Studies), Emory University Antoine Lutz
• Lawrence Barsalou (Psychology), Emory University
• Antoine Lutz (Neuroscience), Neuroscience Research Center, Lyon
• Rebecca Todd (Psychology), University of British Columbia
• Laurence Kirmayer (Psychiatry), McGill University
• Carol Worthman (Anthropology), Emory University
• Evan Thompson (Philosophy), University of British Columbia
• Clifford Saron (Neuroscience), University of California, Davis
• Christian Coseru (Philosophy), College of Charleston
• Thomas Metzinger (Philosophy), Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz
• Dan Arnold (Philosophy of Religion), University of Chicago
• Georges Dreyfus (Buddhist Studies), Williams College
• John Tresch (History and Sociology of Science), University of Pennsylvania

This conference was made possible by a grant from The Robert H.N. Ho Family Foundation.

Being Human 2013: Free Online Simulcast - Saturday, Sept. 28

With speakers including Robert Sapolsky, Richie Davidson, Paul Ekman, Helen Fisher, and David Eagleman, this looks to be an excellent day-long event. The theme for this year's event is the Science and Mystery of Human Experience.

Preview video:


For this year's event, the sponsors are making it available for free online the day of the event, with a live stream hosted by FORA.tv. The stream will be hosted on their main page on Saturday, September 28, 2013. This is very awesome.

Being Human 2013 to Offer Free Web Simulcast of Cutting-Edge Science & Philosophy Conference

Submitted by Michael Taft on Sun, 09/22/2013 - 10:35

SAN FRANCISCO, CA September 23, 2013 – Organizers announced today that a free online simulcast will be offered of Being Human 2013, the second annual gathering of top neuroscientists and visionaries who will explore what it means to be human from a variety of scientific, evolutionary and philosophical perspectives on Saturday, September 28, 2013 in San Francisco’s newly restored Nourse Theater.

Presented by the Baumann Foundation, and co-sponsored by KQED, Wikimedia Foundation, and Long Now Foundation, the day-long conference will explore four intriguing aspects of the human experience: the biological underpinnings of ethical behavior, the function and evolution of human emotions, the role of love and sex in human relations, and what lies ahead for our species.

Some of the brightest minds in neuroscience, anthropology and behavioral research, including distinguished scholars from Stanford, Princeton, Harvard, Rutgers, Baylor, Yale, and the Kinsey Institute will each share their latest insights, pique curiosities, spur conversations, and provide a sense of connection, clarity and deeper understanding of our common humanity. Thought leaders in diverse fields such as contemporary information design and evolutionary philosophy will also be a part of the interdisciplinary program. The event will be highlighted by a mesmerizing dance performance by YouTube dub step sensation Marquese Scott and a riveting piano performance by the iconoclastic music pioneer ELEW.

“We felt it was very important to make this fascinating and thought provoking content available to people around the world who want to participate in the Being Human experience and learn more about our collective evolution,” said Jeff Klein, Executive Director of the Baumann Foundation.

The free streaming video simulcast will be available at www.beinghuman.org. The webcast will begin at 9 AM Pacific on September 28, and archive video will be available for viewing on the Being Human website following the event.

Tickets to attend Being Human 2013 in person and more information are available at http://www.beinghuman.org/2013.

* * * * *

Here is the excellent program planned for the event.

The Science & Mystery of Human Experience

Being Human 2013: a daylong exploration of human nature in the light of cutting edge science, philosophy, and evolution. At this event we will look at:

The Biology and Psychology of Ethical Behavior

Is morality culturally determined and relative, an evolved social contract that is absolute, or something else? In this session, we examine the biology of caring behavior and social interactions, as well as the dynamics of cooperation, competition, and power.

Presented by Robert Sapolsky, Ph.D., Susan Fiske, Ph.D., and Josh Greene, Ph.D.

***

Human Emotions

In this session we look at emotions as evolved behavioral responses, how well-being can be cultivated, and how our emotions can influence health. We further investigate the nature of compassion and its compatibility with evolutionary theory.

Presented by Richie Davidson, Ph.D., Paul Ekman, Ph.D., and Esther Sternberg, Ph.D.

***

Love and Sex

Sexual behavior, romance, and partnerships are among the strongest human social drives. In this session we delve into the biology of sexual behavior and such topics as love addictions, serial monogamy, clandestine adultery, hookup culture, and how human partnering psychology is reflected in our animal cousins.

Presented by Helen Fisher, Ph.D., Justin Garcia, Ph.D., and Laurie Santos, Ph.D.

***

The Future of Being Human

In this session, we examine how the contemporary journey into massive scales of space, time, and big data irreversibly expands our perspective on ourselves—and how medical innovations which allow us to move past our traditional human bodies will change our cares and our consciousness.

Presented by David Eagleman, Ph.D., Natasha Vita-More, Ph.D., and Jer Thorp.


The experience of being human can be exciting or stressful, fun or depressing, but most often it’s simply confusing. How can we make sense of our world with all its pain and suffering, its delights and disappointments?

For most of human history we’ve been trying to understand our lives based on metaphysical, religious, and supernatural concepts. Then the Age of Enlightenment ushered in science and Darwin’s remarkable theory of evolution—a powerful new way to look at ourselves and the world. Now disciplines such as cognitive neuroscience, evolutionary psychology, genetics, anthropology, and philosophy are delivering fascinating new findings which have the potential to radically remake the way we see ourselves. Based on these scientific insights, a more comprehensive view of human nature is now emerging.

As part of the The World in . . . Festival (2013 version), Harvard psychologist is interviewed by Lane Greene from The Economist, sponsors of the event. Here is a little summary of the Festival:

Every year, the World in… Festival is timed with the release of The Economist’s annual World in… publication, a collection of trends and predictions about the year ahead. 

Now in its 27th year, The World in… provides readers with a unique global perspective on the upcoming year, across the spheres of business, finance and economics, technology, sport, media, arts, culture and beyond. Through a series of lively discussions, performances and debates with Economist editors and distinguished guests, The World in 2013 Festival brings the publication to life. 

The World in... Festival is a multi-day experience, including an evening of intellectual entertainment (Thursday) and a full-day programme (Saturday). The wide range of topics reflect the depth and breadth of The Economist and The World In…publication, as well as the themes most relevant to the upcoming year. The World in… Festival is our reader event and is designed for anyone who enjoys the analysis and prognostications found in The Economist. 

Enjoy.

Steven Pinker: Human Nature in 2013

Published on Dec 12, 2012

What is cutting-edge research likely to reveal about our human nature in 2013? Steven Pinker, professor at Harvard University, gives his predictions in an interview with The Economist's Lane Greene at The Economist's World in 2013 Festival on December 8th 2012.

The Online Consciousness Conference 2013

It's that time of year again, The Online Consciousness Conference has posted the primary papers from this year's conference. Daniel Dennett is giving the invited talk, "A Phenomenal Confusion About Access and Consciousness."

The program for the Fifth Online Consciousness Conference is (nearly) finalized! The conference will begin on Friday February 15th sometime around noon EST (the names of the papers on this page will turn into links to the sessions once the conference begins). The papers for this year’s conference are available here in order to facilitate discussion at the conference.

Here are the primary papers from this year's conference.

CO5 Papers

The program for CO5 is nearly finalized. The conference will begin on Friday February 15th at which point the sessions will become live (the name of the paper on the program will become a link to the session when the conference begins). Below are the papers (not commentaries) for this year’s participants. So, please read and think about these papers at your leisure and be sure to join us Feb 15-March 1st for the discussion.

• Farid Masrour - Space Perception, Visual Dissonance and the Fate of Standard Representationalism
• Matteo Grasso - Integrated Information Theory and the Metaphysics of Consciousness
• Eric Schwitzgebel - If Materialism is True, The United States is Probably Conscious
• Chad Kidd - The Idols of Inner-Awareness: Towards Disjunctive Self-Representationalism
• Miguel Sebastian - What Panpsychists Should Reject: On the Incompatibility of Panpsychism and Organizational Invariantism
• Cheryl Abbate - Nonhuman Animals: Not, Necessarily, Saints or Sinners
• Bence Nanay - Perceptual Content and the Content of Mental Imagery
• Joel Smith - Alienation and Self-Presentation
• Peter Langland-Hassan - Craniopagus Twins and the Possibility of Introspective Misidentification
• Katja Crone - Self-Consciousness, Interaction, and Understanding Others
• Daniel Morgan - A Demonstrative Model of First-Person Thought (coming soon)