ThoughtGallery.org > “The Hard Problem of Consciousness” – Philosophical Discussion / TED Circle

“The Hard Problem of Consciousness” – Philosophical Discussion / TED Circle

Featured TED Talk: “How Do You Explain Consciousness?” – David Chalmers – https://youtu.be/uhRhtFFhNzQ

Host: Nikki Johnson, Founder of Fibonacci Events (https://fibonaccievents.com/)

Location: IBM Atrium / Obica Mozzarella at 590 Madison Avenue, Midtown Manhattan –
Northwest Corner of East 56th & Madison Avenue

FREE REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED ON EVENTBRITE TO SECURE A PLACE
(and be notified of any changes in schedule, location, agenda, etc.):

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-hard-problem-of-consciousness-philosophical-discussion-ted-circle-tickets-91463027377

Historically, one of the toughest nuts to crack in both philosophy and science has been the so-called “hard problem of consciousness”:

HOW IS IT POSSIBLE FOR THE HARD-WIRING OF OUR BRAIN TO PRODUCE INNER PERCEPTION, SENTIENT EXPERIENCE, AND SELF-AWARENESS?

It’s a much more difficult conundrum to solve than one might expect upon first glance.

Because science is inherently objective, while consciousness is subjective, it has been very difficult for experts working from both sides of the divide to bridge this gap – to explain the precise mechanisms of conscious experience.

Before arriving at this event, take a peek at the following video:

A brief presentation will be given to start this event – summarizing some of the prevailing research and viewpoints on the Hard Problem of Consciousness.

We will then explore a number of interesting extensions of this topic together, including:

  1. What does the word “consciousness” mean to you? How would you define it? How does “consciousness” relate to perception, sentience, and self-awareness? Are there distinct nuances to each of these terms?
  2. Are there different levels of consciousness? For example: How does animal consciousness differ from that of humans? Are there various levels of human consciousness? What defines these levels, from your perspective?
  3. Why is it so difficult to define the precise relationship between mind and matter? What makes it so challenging to explain how consciousness is produced?
  4. Would you consider yourself to be a materialist? Idealist? Dualist? How do these branches of philosophy relate to the Hard Problem of Consciousness? How does your preferred ideology influence your view of the relationship between consciousness and the brain?
  5. How much of the ultimate reality are we able to perceive through sensory signals interpreted by our brains? How does this process affect our ability to know what truly exists?
  6. How does the Hard Problem of Consciousness relate to the Cartesian Theater and Plato’s Allegory of the Cave? How do these models facilitate our understanding of the relationship between the brain and consciousness?

PLEASE FEEL PERFECTLY FREE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE ACTIVE DISCUSSION, OR COME PRIMARILY TO LISTEN – based entirely upon your own comfort level with this topic and its many facets. This is a highly complex subject, and everyone is most welcome to join us at this event!

Looking forward to seeing you there!











When: Thu., Jan. 30, 2020 at 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Featured TED Talk: “How Do You Explain Consciousness?” – David Chalmers – https://youtu.be/uhRhtFFhNzQ

Host: Nikki Johnson, Founder of Fibonacci Events (https://fibonaccievents.com/)

Location: IBM Atrium / Obica Mozzarella at 590 Madison Avenue, Midtown Manhattan –
Northwest Corner of East 56th & Madison Avenue

FREE REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED ON EVENTBRITE TO SECURE A PLACE
(and be notified of any changes in schedule, location, agenda, etc.):

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-hard-problem-of-consciousness-philosophical-discussion-ted-circle-tickets-91463027377

Historically, one of the toughest nuts to crack in both philosophy and science has been the so-called “hard problem of consciousness”:

HOW IS IT POSSIBLE FOR THE HARD-WIRING OF OUR BRAIN TO PRODUCE INNER PERCEPTION, SENTIENT EXPERIENCE, AND SELF-AWARENESS?

It’s a much more difficult conundrum to solve than one might expect upon first glance.

Because science is inherently objective, while consciousness is subjective, it has been very difficult for experts working from both sides of the divide to bridge this gap – to explain the precise mechanisms of conscious experience.

Before arriving at this event, take a peek at the following video:

A brief presentation will be given to start this event – summarizing some of the prevailing research and viewpoints on the Hard Problem of Consciousness.

We will then explore a number of interesting extensions of this topic together, including:

  1. What does the word “consciousness” mean to you? How would you define it? How does “consciousness” relate to perception, sentience, and self-awareness? Are there distinct nuances to each of these terms?
  2. Are there different levels of consciousness? For example: How does animal consciousness differ from that of humans? Are there various levels of human consciousness? What defines these levels, from your perspective?
  3. Why is it so difficult to define the precise relationship between mind and matter? What makes it so challenging to explain how consciousness is produced?
  4. Would you consider yourself to be a materialist? Idealist? Dualist? How do these branches of philosophy relate to the Hard Problem of Consciousness? How does your preferred ideology influence your view of the relationship between consciousness and the brain?
  5. How much of the ultimate reality are we able to perceive through sensory signals interpreted by our brains? How does this process affect our ability to know what truly exists?
  6. How does the Hard Problem of Consciousness relate to the Cartesian Theater and Plato’s Allegory of the Cave? How do these models facilitate our understanding of the relationship between the brain and consciousness?

PLEASE FEEL PERFECTLY FREE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE ACTIVE DISCUSSION, OR COME PRIMARILY TO LISTEN – based entirely upon your own comfort level with this topic and its many facets. This is a highly complex subject, and everyone is most welcome to join us at this event!

Looking forward to seeing you there!

Buy tickets/get more info now