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Towards a Science of Consciousness 2009
Alfredo Pereira Jr
Wednesday, 03 December 2008 01:54 UTC
Toward a Science of Consciousness 2009
Announcement and Call for Papers
Investigating Inner ExperienceBrain, Mind, Technology
Hong Kong, China, June 11-14, 2009www.asiaconsciousness.org/TSC
www.consciousness.arizona.edu
Long a meeting place for Eastern and Western ideas and the media capital of Asia, Hong Kong, China hosts the 15th in a series of Toward a Science of Consciousness conferences held yearly since 1994. The conferences are known for broad, interdisciplinary and multi-faceted approaches to the age-old question of how the brain produces consciousness awareness.
Subjective inner experience has long been approached through introspection, mysticism, and meditative contemplation, and revealed through art, mythology and ritual. In the past half century, science has found computation among neurons to explain brain functions, and promoted the possibility of conscious machines. Now, various media technologies attempt to communicate, simulate and re-create inner experience. In a spirit of synergy, the conference is organized along three entwined themes.
BRAIN: Does consciousness require axonal firing explosions, dendritic synchrony, global assemblies, recurrent loops, mobile agents or finer-scale activities inside neurons? What do mechanisms of mind-altering drugs tell us about consciousness? What can brain imaging and electrical recording tell us about conscious and unconscious processing?
MIND: How can subjective experience be studied objectively? Are Western analytical and Eastern contemplative methods complementary? Do ordinary states of consciousness differ in measurable brain activity from altered and meditative states? What essential features of inner experience can be best reported and artistically portrayed?
TECHNOLOGY: How can technology best interface with consciousness? Can consciousness exist in technology? Can the science of consciousness help media technology become more attuned to human subjective experience? Can functional brain organization be useful in technology design?
A Plenary Program, Pre-Conference Workshops, social events and side trips will be announced. The conference precedes the IEEE Conference on Cognitive Informatics in Hong Kong (June 15-17), and is affiliated with other events in June, 2009 which are part of an Asia Consciousness Festival – http://www.asia.consciousness.org
Submissions of original papers related to the three themes are invited from philosophy, psychology, neuroscience, cognitive science, phenomenology, media, technology, games, computer science, and other related fields.
Abstract submission will be open until February 1, 2009. For registration, abstract submission and further information see http://www.asiaconsciousness.org/TSC
Abstract Submissions: https://sbs.arizona.edu/project/consciousness
Submissions demonstrating media, technology and art attempting to simulate consciousness are invited for a special session. Prizes will be awarded for the best demos.
Abstract submitters will be notified regarding abstract assignment within two weeks of submission.
Sponsored by Hong Kong Polytechnic University, MERECL and the Center for Consciousness Studies at the University of Arizona
Conference Organizers
Gino Yu, Hong Kong Polytechnic University
David Chalmers, Australian National University
Stuart Hameroff, The University of Arizona
Program Committee
Roy Ascott – University of Plymouth
David Chalmers – Australian National University
Richard Davidson – University of Wisconsin
Majid Fotuhi – Johns Hopkins University
Baroness Susan Greenfield – Oxford University
Stuart Hameroff – University of Arizona
Allen Houng – National Yang Ming University, Taiwan
Shier Ju – Sun Yat-sen University
Hakwan Lau – Columbia University
Olga Louchakova – Institute of Transpersonal Psychology
Jefferey Martin – California Institute of Integral Studies
Ryojei Nakatsu – National University of Singapore
Yoshio Nakamura – University of Utah
Dean Radin – Institute of Noetic Sciences
Sraddhalu Ranade – Sri Aurobindo Ashram
Matthias Rauterberg – TU Eindhoven
Thomas Ray – University of Oklahoma
Pamela Rugledge – Media Psychology Research Center
Marilyn Schlitz – Institute of Noetic Sciences
Dan Siegel – Mindsight Institute
Jeff Warren – Author
Charles Whitehead – University of Westminster, London
Gino Yu – Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Center for Consciousness Studies, University of Arizona. E-Mail: center@u.arizona.edu
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Replies
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Is anyone going there?
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The Conference Program is now available.
Also the early registration deadline has been prolonged until April 30th.
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Another congress, co-organized by the Center for Consciousness Studies.
AlfredoSCIENCE AND NONDUALITY CONFERENCE 2009
October 23-25, 2009
Marin Convention Center, San Rafael, California
http://www.scienceandnonduality.comDualisms shape our worldview. They include Mind/Matter, Self/Other, Perception/Reality, Quantum/Classical, Wave/Particle, Spiritual/Material, Beginning/End, Male/Female, Living/Dead and Good/Evil.
Wisdom gained through meditation, yoga and mystical experiences suggest these dichotomies are illusory. Eastern mystics know a single underlying reality called advaita, Brahman, the Tao, or Nirvana, from which all existence arises through consciousness. Nonduality is the philosophical and spiritual understanding that dualisms obscure a deeper reality of non-separation and fundamental oneness.
On the other hand, science depends on empirical data leading to reductionism, materialism and apparent dichotomies. But discove! ries in quantum physics, brain sciences, consciousness studies, biology, cosmology and other fields have revealed nonduality in science as well, suggesting mysticism and science share a common source. Applying nondual perspectives in science, and scientific perspectives in Eastern spiritual approaches are the twin goals of this, the first public conference on the Science of Nonduality. Join us for three days seeking fundamental oneness in quantum physics, philosophy, consciousness studies, cosmology, art, Buddhism, psychology and spiritual metaphysics.
Speakers will include: Brant Cortright, Amit Goswami, Alex Grey, Stuart Hameroff, Rick Hanson, Francis Lucille, Daniel Pinchbeck, Dean Radin, Daniel Sheehan, Marilyn Schlitz, Henry Stapp, Fred Alan Wolf, Jeremy Hayward, Stephen Wolinksy, Peter Fenner, Rudolph Bauer, Rick Hanson, Rabbi Hoffman, Shaykha Fatima Fariha al-Jerrahi and many others.
PROGRAM OUTLINE
The program will includes Plenary talks, Co! ncurrent talks, Poster sessions, Workshops, Performances, Demo! s and So cial Events
Submitted abstracts will be considered for Concurrent talks, Posters and other categories in the following topical areas: Nondual wisdom and psychotherapy, advaita, Buddhism, Western philosophy, physiology of nonduality, art, consciousness studies, shamanism, entheogens, and others.
For abstract submission see
http://www.scienceandnonduality.com/call.shtmlPRECONFERENCE WORKSHOPS
Thursday October 22
An invitation to hear the latest ideas and research from select speakers. Join Amit Goswami (The Quantum Activist), Fred Alan Wolf (Doctor Quantum), and Daniel Pinchbeck (Breaking Open the Head) and Stuart Hameroff (Quantum consciousness), and more.
POSTERS
Saturday October 24
A poster session is an opportunity for discussion in a relaxed and informal setting, rather like a trade fair. Posters will be on a broad range of topics. Expect the unexpected!
Abstract Submission Site: http://www.scienceofnondua! lity.com/call.shtml
OTHER EVENTS
CINEMA NONDUALITE Film Series
In addition to live presentations, there will be screenings of films touching on nonduality. The conference is honored to host the Bay Area premiere of The Quantum Activist, a new documentary from Amit Goswami.
Short films of five minutes or less will be shown at selected times during the conference.
EXPERIENTIAL ROOM
Experience nonduality for yourself through various practices, including meditation, hypnosis, music, art, and dance.
ART EXHIBITION
Art touching on nonduality will also be presented.
NONDUALITY VIDEO BOOTH
Visit the Nonduality Video Booth, where you can share your ideas and opinions on video, which will then be uploaded to the conference YouTube channel.
SOCIAL EVENTS
Events include a reception and exciting dance celebration with top DJs and featuring visionary artist Alex Grey. This special e! vent is open to everyone, whether attending the conference or ! not, and promises to be a memorable evening!
KEEPING IN TOUCH
Please be sure to sign up for our newsletter for the latest on the conference.
http://www.scienceandnonduality.com/newsletter.html
We look forward to seeing you in October!
CONFERENCE
Conference Organizers: Maurizio Benazzo, Zaya Benazzo, Stuart Hameroff, Nick Day, Bob Cowart
Conference Consultant: Abi Montefiore
SPONSORS
Organized by
Neti Neti Media
http://www.netinetimedia.comin collaboration with
Center for Consciousness Studies, University of Arizona
http://www.consciousness.arizona.eduCalifornia Institute of Integral Studies
http://www.ciis.eduNondualwisdom and Psychotherapy
http://www.wisdompsy.comThe Insititute of Noetic Sciences (IONS)
http://www.ions.org/
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