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READING RECOMMENDATIONS

A Day on Consciousness

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Dr Iain McGilchrist

Matter and Consciousness

Dr Iain McGilchrist
Dr Rupert Sheldrake

A Conscious Universe?

Dr Rupert Sheldrake
Professor Anil Seth

Neuroscience, Perception and Hallucination

Professor Anil Seth
A Day on Consciousness

Neuroscience, Panpsychism and Hallucinations; A full day of talks exploring the fascinating science of consciousness.

Right now, tens of billions of neurons are working together in your brain so that you can read these words. How does this happen? For the longest time, consciousness was life’s greatest mystery; something we thought we’d never understand. Now, recent advances in neuroscience, psychology and psychiatry are beginning to shed some light on the inner workings of this mystery, and the findings are nothing less than astounding. In this series of talks, we’ll explore the fascinating science of consciousness; how it works, why it matters, and how understanding it can improve your everyday experience of reality.

Content

You’ll learn:
  • Neuroscience, perception and hallucination; the latest cutting edge research in the neuroscience of consciousness, how consciousness emerges from the brain, and how changes to our brain can result in bizarre experiences of consciousness – Professor Anil Seth PhD
  • Matter and consciousness; the relationship between matter and consciousness – are they two things, or one? How necessary are brains to consciousness? And why do we have consciousness at all? – Dr Iain McGilchrist, PhD (via exclusive live video link)
  • Panpsychism and consciousness; the growing evidence for a ‘conscious universe’, how the world ‘out there’, including our planet, sun and solar system, may be associated with some form of mind and self organising system – Dr Rupert Sheldrake, PhD
You’ll learn how these insights can deepen your own understanding of the world we live in, and enhance your everyday perception of reality.

Event Schedule:

  • 10:00am – 12:00pm: Matter and Consciousness – Dr Iain McGilchrist, PhD (via video link)
  • 12:00 – 1:00pm: Lunch break
  • 1:00pm – 3:00pm: Neuroscience, Perception and Hallucination – Professor Anil Seth, PhD
  • 3:00pm – 3:30pm: Afternoon break
  • 3:30pm – 5:00pm:  A Conscious Universe? – Dr Rupert Sheldrake, PhD
  • 5:20pm – 7:00pm: Attendee Social & Networking (Optional)

Lectures & Speakers

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Neuroscience, Perception and Hallucination

Right now, billions of neurons in your brain are working together to generate your conscious experience. How does this happen? According to neuroscientist Anil Seth, we’re all hallucinating all the time; when we agree about our hallucinations, we call it “reality.”

This talk will provide an insight into how consciousness emerges from the material brain, and how changes to our brain can result in bizarre experiences of consciousness. You’ll learn about the latest research in the new science of consciousness and how cutting-edge experiments in neuroscience are shedding light on the underlying neural mechanisms that give us our conscious experience in normal life, as well as in neurological and psychiatric conditions.

Professor Anil Seth
Professor Anil Seth

Neuroscience, Perception and Hallucination

Anil Seth is Professor of Cognitive and Computational Neuroscience at the University of Sussex, and the Co-Director of the Sackler Centre for Consciousness Science. He is a Wellcome Trust Engagement Fellow, and a Senior Fellow of the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research. Professor Seth is Editor-in-Chief of Neuroscience of Consciousness, sits on the steering group and advisory board of the Human Mind Project, and was President of the British Science Association Psychology Section in 2017.

He is the co-author of the ‘30 Second Brain’, and contributes regularly to a variety of media including New Scientist, The Guardian, and the BBC. His 2017 TED talk has been viewed more than 9 million times. Professor Seth’s research bridges neuroscience, mathematics, artificial intelligence, computer science, psychology, philosophy and psychiatry. He has also worked extensively with playwrights, dancers and other artists to shape a truly humanistic view of consciousness and self. You can keep up to date with his work at www.anilseth.com.

Reading Recommendations:

  • Being You: A New Science of Consciousness – Prof. Anil Seth
  • The Hard Problem of Consciousness is a Distraction from the Real One – Prof Anil Seth
  • 30 Second Brain: The 50 Most Mind-Blowing Ideas in Neuroscience, Each Explained in Half a Minute – Prof Anil Seth

A Conscious Universe?

The sciences are pointing toward a new sense of a living world.  The cosmos is like a developing organism, and so is our planet, Gaia. The laws of Nature may be more like habits.  Partly as a result of the ‘hard problem’ of finding space for human consciousness in the materialist worldview, there is there is a renewed interest in panpsychist philosophies, according to which some form of mind, experience or consciousness is associated with all self-organizing systems, including atoms, molecules and plants.  Maybe the sun is conscious, and so are other stars, and entire galaxies. If so, what about the mind of the universe as a whole? Rupert Sheldrake will explore some of the implications of this idea.

Dr Rupert Sheldrake
Dr Rupert Sheldrake

A Conscious Universe?

Rupert Sheldrake is a biologist and author of more than 85 scientific papers, and was named among the top 100 Global Thought Leaders for 2013. He studied natural sciences at Cambridge University, where he was a Scholar of Clare College, took a double first class honours degree and was awarded the University Botany Prize in 1963. Dr Sheldrake then studied philosophy and the history of science at Harvard before returning to Cambridge, where he took a Ph.D. in biochemistry in 1967. 

He is the author of 13 books, and in 2012 he published ‘The Science Delusion’. This book examines the ten dogmas of modern science, and shows how they can be turned into questions that open up new vistas of scientific possibility. It received the Book of the Year Award from the British Scientific and Medical Network. His most recent book: ‘Ways To Go Beyond, And Why They Work’ was published in 2019, and looks at seven spiritual practices that are personally transformative and have scientifically measurable effects. You can keep up to date with Rupert’s work on his website: www.sheldrake.org.

Reading Recommendations:

  • Ways to Go Beyond and Why They Work – Dr Rupert Sheldrake, PhD
  •  Science and Spiritual Practices – Dr Rupert Sheldrake, PhD
  • The Science Delusion – Dr Rupert Sheldrake, PhD

Matter and Consciousness

It has become customary to talk about consciousness as the great unsolved problem of our age.  I argue that consciousness itself is not the problem; the problem is our customary mode of thinking.  I will outline the thesis of a new book, The Matter with Things, in which I suggest that, because of our allegiance to a certain model of the world, demonstrably associated with the left hemisphere of the brain, we misunderstand the fundamental nature of the world, and as a result run into predictable problems in trying to make sense of it.

These problems are in evidence all around us in the modern West.  For the purposes of this talk I will focus on the relationship between matter and consciousness, and ask: are they two things or one?  Are they things at all? If they are different in what way? How necessary are brains to consciousness? And why do we have consciousness at all?

Dr Iain McGilchrist
Dr Iain McGilchrist

Matter and Consciousness

Dr Iain McGilchrist is a Psychiatrist and Writer, who lives on the Isle of Skye, off the coast of North West Scotland. He is committed to the idea that the mind and brain can be understood only by seeing them in the broadest possible context, that of the whole of our physical and spiritual existence, and of the wider human culture in which they arise – the culture which helps to mould, and in turn is moulded by, our minds and brains. He was formerly a Consultant Psychiatrist of the Bethlem Royal and Maudsley NHS Trust in London, where he was Clinical Director of their southern sector Acute Mental Health Services.

Dr McGilchrist has published original research and contributed chapters to books on a wide range of subjects, as well as original articles in papers and journals, including the British Journal of Psychiatry, American Journal of Psychiatry, The Wall Street Journal, The Sunday Telegraph and The Sunday Times. He has taken part in many radio and TV programmes, documentaries, and numerous podcasts, and interviews on YouTube, among them dialogues with Jordan Peterson, David Fuller of Rebel Wisdom, and philosopher Tim Freke. His books include Against Criticism, The Master and his Emissary: The Divided Brain and the Making of the Western World, The Divided Brain and the Search for Meaning, and Ways of Attending. He is currently working on his latest book: The Matter With Things, a book of epistemology and metaphysics, to be published by Penguin/Random House. You can keep up to date with his work at www.iainmcgilchrist.com.

Reading Recommendations:

  • The Master and his Emissary: The Divided Brain and the Making of the Western World – Dr Iain McGilchrist
  • Consciousness and Its Place in Nature – Galen Strawson
  • Minding Matter – Adam Frank

What TWU students are saying

attendee testimonals

I have attended 7 weekend University days and now I do not want to miss one because they have all been fantastic and worth dragging myself away from my lie in on a Sunday for. Each of the sessions I have attended have had excellent speakers talking about fascinating areas of Psychology. Having previously studied psychology I really enjoy delving back into the world of attending lectures and absorbing information again without the stress of exams or essays. But even if you have no psychology background I recommend coming to these events, especially if you see a topic you like you will not regret it! Niall not only organises these amazing event days but also now we have access to podcasts and he takes the time to organise a social after the event to meet fellow psychology enthusiasts as well as provide clear and easy instructions on how to get there, a certificate to say you attended the event and even lunch place suggestions which are little added extras which make the whole experience great. I am very glad to have the weekend university in my life and thank Niall and the team for making this happen.
Hannah Alice Howell
Event Attendee
The Weekend University is amazing! They recently hosted the Holistic Change Summit where such great minds were brought together to discuss a wide variety of topics relevant to change, growth and living a meaningful life. The facilitator, Niall, asked excellent questions which really gave the speaker the chance to discuss ideas that many of us wonder about. It was brilliant and I loved it.
Kiden Shae
Summit Attendee
Extremely stimulating events! It brings together great professionals who share their experience in their respective fields to pass their knowledge in a way accessible to the general public and other professionals alike. It is a great way to bring motivated people in the same place! Also, Niall is extremely thoughtful, considerate and driven person. His personal approach and professionalism in making those events happen does not go unnoticed!
Nikolay Petrov
Event Attendee
The most fantastic resource. Have been to a few of The Weekend University days - an incredible initiative bringing all that knowledge down from its Ivory Tower to an accessible and inviting platform - 10/10
Charlie Fooks
Event Attendee
Absolutely excellent day with The Weekend University last Saturday on Attachment and Psychotherapy. Superb speaker who was totally engaging, really useful practical insights, and great organisation. Thank you!
Helen Jane
Event Attendee
I attended an Existential Coaching seminar out of curiosity and ended up being supermotivated and serious to get more into this subject! The event was really went organised, the venue was central and easy to find and the organisers and facilitator were amazing. Totally recomend!
Fiora Maya Touliatou
Seminar Attendee
My first time at the Weekend University on their day of Wellbeing a fantastic event. Excellent venue, thought provoking speakers, interesting topics, really well organised, communication, support material a 5 star rating.
Viryapushpa Nolan
Event Attendee
I attended 'A Day on Sleep and Dreams’ and it was fantastic - excellent speakers and thought provoking content. The Weekend University has been a great discovery and I will defiantly be attending more lectures. The event was really well organised by Niall - informative emails, follow ups etc. I recommend that everyone takes the opportunity to go, you won’t be disappointed!
Hannah Durhager
Event Attendee
This event is nourishment for my mind! The kind of subjects usually reserved for academics is now open to us all and the information is delivered in a way that anyone can understand. The audience was filled with interesting people, hungry to learn and engage in fascinating conversations. We had all day to connect, to learn and to share. Just like a delicious cool drink on a very hot day, my mind felt quenched! Thank you, Niall, for creating this. I will be back!
David Saville
Event Attendee

Tickets

Full Day Pass: £38.25

(includes VAT + Booking Fee)

Student/Unwaged: £20.25

(includes VAT + Booking Fee)

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Date and time

23/02/2020

09:30 – 17:00 BST

Venue

Birkbeck, University of London, Malet Street, Bloomsbury, London, WC1E 7HX

Money back guarantee

The Weekend University guarantees an excellent learning experience. If you are not fully satisfied with the day, you will receive 100% of your money back – with no questions asked. Simply contact us on support@theweekenduniversity.com to arrange your refund.

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Date and time

23/02/2020

09:30 – 17:00 BST

Location

Birkbeck, University of London, Malet Street, Bloomsbury, London, WC1E 7HX

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TWU Guarantee

The Weekend University seeks to guarantee an excellent learning experience.

If you are not fully satisfied with the day, you will receive 100% of your money back – with no questions asked. Simply contact us on support@theweekenduniversity.com to arrange your refund.

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