Consciousness (336-0-1)
Instructors
Satoru Suzuki
Meeting Info
University Hall 122: Tues, Thurs 5:00PM - 6:20PM
Overview of class
We will try to understand what consciousness is (1) by thinking about the distinctions between conscious and unconscious processing, (2) by examining neural activities that are uniquely associated with conscious states and/or sensory awareness, and (3) by thinking deeply about different models of consciousness, considering predictive coding, information, algorithms, classical/quantum computation, computability, and reality. In particular, we critically evaluate how the current models of consciousness explain (or do not explain) subjective experience. All study materials will be provided as PDF files in Canvas. Class attendance and participation are important.
Registration Requirements
Anyone seriously interested in understanding consciousness.
Learning Objectives
Deeply think about what generates subjective experience. (1) Explore awareness, conscious/unconscious processing, information, information processing, computation, causality, and reality, to think about how they relate to subjective experience. (2) Explore predictive coding, computational models of self, information integration (e.g., phi), recurrent loops of neural interactions between hubs, the complexity of neural interactions, quantum superposition/entanglement, the wave-particle duality, and non-computational processes, to think about how they could give rise to subjective experience. (3) Think about the level versus the content of awareness, what beings/things are sentient, and what happens to subjective experience after (physical) death in light of the current theories of consciousness.
Class Materials (Required)
All class materials will be provided as PDF files in Canvas.
Class Notes
Lecture slides will be posted in Canvas.
Class Attributes
Interdisciplinary Distro-rules apply
Natural Sciences Distro Area
Social & Behavioral Sciences Distro Area
Attendance at 1st class mandatory
Prerequisites apply, see description