Central question of this course: How do (and if they do) mind (consciousness) and body (matter) interact? We will cover much of the following, depending on level of participants. The “hard problem” of consciousness, David Chalmers’ supervenience and zombies. Overview of philosophical theories of mind. Panpsychism in the west (including the role of AQAL integral and Wilberian theory, Whitehead’s process theory, Motoyama’s superconsciousness, and Bhaskar’s MetaReality). Attempts at scientific theories of mind. Focus on the question: Is the physical universe causally closed? The quantum measurement problem, the encounter of quantum physics with consciousness, and transrational perspectives.
- Teacher: Thomas Brophy