What is Consciousness?
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For our July meetup we're going to explore the nature of consciousness. This a great opportunity to take a deep dive into an important, and rarely discussed aspect of the human experience. That said, philosophers, theologians, and scientists have debated, analysed and explored the topic for millennia.
As you read these words where do you feel your consciousness lies? Do you regard it simply as a bi-product of synapses in your brain firing or do you feel it isn't bound by your physical body?
Matthew Riddle will give a talk on the various theories of the nature of consciousness, before we open the topic to the group for discussion. Matthew runs a YouTube channel called Consciousness Matters where he explores the subject with experts from a variety of academic and scientific fields.
Some philosophers like the late Dr Daniel Dennett believe that consciousness is an illusion. Dr Bernardo Kastrup, a leading advocate for idealism thinks we are all one consciousness, but having individual subjective experiences. Dr Philip Goff, a leading advocate for panpsychism, thinks particles like electrons are a little bit conscious.
Do we have souls, and if so, how do they relate to our experience of consciousness? How does the idea of God relate to consciousness? Can evolution, physics, chemistry & biology really explain the source and nature of human consciousness?
Do we really understand the relationship between our consciousness and the physical universe? How does the unconscious mind relate to consciousness?
Whether you think consciousness is a product of evolution and our large brains, or something more cosmic than that, we want to hear from you.
We’re a friendly bunch, and you'll be welcome to continue the conversation well past the meeting's official end at 4pm. Grab a drink at the bar and come upstairs for some lively, open and honest chat. All good faith opinions will be welcomed and respected. We don't charge for our events but we do ask for a small cash donation to help pay for the room and Meetup membership.
What is Consciousness?