ADVANCED
SEMINAR IN RELIGION AND SCIENCE
The ‘'Hard
Problem' -
Consciousness,
Experience, and Mind
Monday Evenings, 7-10 p.m., LSTC Common Room
350
Chaired
by Philip Hefner and Gayle Woloschak
How does subjective experience arise from neural
computation? What accounts for the
transition from brain to mind? From
what we read in the popular press, one might think that science is on the verge
of explaining the connection between neurobiology and subjective
experience and perhaps even explaining away our experience.
Neuroscientists,
however, following the lead of philosopher David Chalmers, call this the
hard problem. They do
not at present agree whether this problem can be solved at all or whether it is
inherently beyond full explanation.
Theologians like Lluís Oviedo call it
the greatest challenge now facing religion and theology from the
sciences. This year s
Advanced Seminar, co-chaired by Gayle Woloschak and
Philip Hefner will focus on this hard problem.
The
Advanced Seminar is designed as a research seminar for faculty and
students. It is open to students in
all degree programs. Course requirements will be adjusted upwards for the most
advanced students.
February 4 The
Seminar Theme Why is it Important?
Where Does it Lead?
Gayle Woloschak,
molecular biology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University
Philip Hefner, theology
emeritus, Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago
February 11
The Hard Problem and Theology: Ontology, Causality, and the
Divine
Gregory Peterson, religious
studies, philosophy, South Dakota State University
February 18
Cognitive Neuroscience and Consciousness: Theoretical and Methodological
Issues
Michael Spezio,
neuroscience, Scripps College and California Institute of Technology
February 25 The
Really Hard Problem: Meaning in a Material World
Owen
Flanagan, philosophy, Duke University
March 3 The
Experience of Consciousness
Mary Gerhart,
religious studies emerita, Hobart & William Smith
Colleges; Senior Fellow, Martin Marty Center for the Advanced Study of Religion
March 10 Perspectives
from Cognitive Psychology
Sian Beilock,
cognitive psychology, University of Chicago
March 17 Philosophical
Approaches to the Hard Problem
Leslie Marsh, Centre for
Research in Cognitive Science, University of Sussex
March 24 NO SESSION: Reading
Week
March 31 Perspectives
from Developmental Psychology
Susan Hespos,
developmental psychology, Northwestern University
April 7 The
Hard Problem and the Holy
Mladen Turk, religious studies,
Elmhurst College
April 14, 21, 28 Presentations
by seminar members
May 5 Wrap-up
Students
registered for credit will have group meetings (two hours, biweekly) with the
instructors. An announcement will
be made about times/locations.
The
seminar is a voluntary group with no fees, except for course credit. Registration is possible through LSTC,
or other ACTS Schools. All
participants, credit and non-credit, are asked to pre-register by calling
773-256-0670 or emailing [email protected].