ThoughtGallery.org > Consciousness: Not a “Thing” but a “Place”?

Consciousness: Not a “Thing” but a “Place”?

Invited speaker: Dr. Yuko Ishihara, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Japan

Abstract:

Modern western thought has given consciousness a special place in the understanding of human beings. According to Descartes, it is the fact that we are “thinking things” that sets us apart from unconscious things like a desk or a pen. While scientists and philosophers today disagree with Descartes on what constitutes the nature of the thinking thing, most people agree on the basic Cartesian assumption: that consciousness is a kind of “thing.”

But can we not question this assumption? Putting aside all theories, our direct experience teaches us that consciousness does not primarily appear as a thing. Rather, it appears more as a ground or “place” wherein our experience occurs. Drawing on insights from twentieth-century philosophers like Martin Heidegger and Nishida Kitaro who developed a philosophy of place, let us think together about what it really means to understand consciousness not as a “thing” but as a “place.” Perhaps such ideas can open doors towards a better understanding on the nature of consciousness.

* Please note that the doors will close at 18:15.

WeWork Park South
110 E 28th Street, 10th Floor
New York, NY 10016

FREE

The Consciousness Club NYC is a study group to promote broadly transdisciplinary discussions on the neural and computational bases of consciousness, and how these concepts can be applied to other fields of interest.

Everyone is welcome to our meetings, from scientists to philosophers, to artists, technologists and engineers.

The Consciousness Club NYC is an initiative of YHouse, Inc.











When: Wed., Oct. 11, 2017 at 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Invited speaker: Dr. Yuko Ishihara, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Japan

Abstract:

Modern western thought has given consciousness a special place in the understanding of human beings. According to Descartes, it is the fact that we are “thinking things” that sets us apart from unconscious things like a desk or a pen. While scientists and philosophers today disagree with Descartes on what constitutes the nature of the thinking thing, most people agree on the basic Cartesian assumption: that consciousness is a kind of “thing.”

But can we not question this assumption? Putting aside all theories, our direct experience teaches us that consciousness does not primarily appear as a thing. Rather, it appears more as a ground or “place” wherein our experience occurs. Drawing on insights from twentieth-century philosophers like Martin Heidegger and Nishida Kitaro who developed a philosophy of place, let us think together about what it really means to understand consciousness not as a “thing” but as a “place.” Perhaps such ideas can open doors towards a better understanding on the nature of consciousness.

* Please note that the doors will close at 18:15.

WeWork Park South
110 E 28th Street, 10th Floor
New York, NY 10016

FREE

The Consciousness Club NYC is a study group to promote broadly transdisciplinary discussions on the neural and computational bases of consciousness, and how these concepts can be applied to other fields of interest.

Everyone is welcome to our meetings, from scientists to philosophers, to artists, technologists and engineers.

The Consciousness Club NYC is an initiative of YHouse, Inc.

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