It's All in Your Head

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Today we will investigate the distinguishing human phenomenon of consciousness, whose nature has been studied and debated for millennia (“I think, therefore I am”).  Advances in neuroimaging have opened up new windows to the functioning of the brain and mind.  We will look at philosophical, evolutionary, physiological and psychological approaches to understanding the state of self-reflective consciousness in human beings. Some topics we will examine are the Mind-Body Problem, how memories form, the Global Workspace model of consciousness, tools for probing mental processes and the development of a Theory of Mind by children as a signature of consciousness.

A very nice introduction to the class can be found by viewing this video. You will meet many of the philosophers we will be discussing.