ANNOUNCEMENT: For this particular event, we will be using a venue near Paya Lebar MRT. The exact location will be shared with confirmed attendees. This event will also start at 11am instead, so please take note too!
It's been a while, but this is the second part of the introduction to philosophy series we started last November!
In the previous session, we discussed about philosophy as an endeavour itself, and what makes a good argument. In this session, things will get a little more in-depth, and serious!
We will be discussing about the general topic of consciousness; more specifically, we will be addressing the problems consciousness possibly presents to physicalism (the notion that the nature of the actual world is physical).
To help us streamline our discussion, participants for this session will have to read at least two (i.e. compulsory) of the readings we are providing.
The first reading is "What is it like to be a Bat" by Thomas Nagel. In this paper, Nagel writes about the subjective nature of consciousness, and why he thinks this poses a challenge to the objective nature of science.
The second reading is "What is it like to be Myopic and Boring" by Kathleen Akins. This paper is undeniably, a response to Nagel, and she argues that science can still tell us something, and perhaps help us to define consciousness better. This particular paper is not an easy read, so please take your time with this paper!
The two compulsory readings, along with the optional reading (Quining Qualia by Daniel Dennett; this is arguably the most difficult read but it's still worth a try), will lay the groundwork, as well as providing arguments (or objections), for what we aim to discuss on an upcoming lovely Saturday morning.
For first timers who have never read academic philosophy papers, don't be worried if you cannot understand some of the jargons and terms philosophers might use! Some Googling will help, otherwise just skim through those terms; we are more than happy to help explain some of them in the session anyway.
The session will include a (hopefully) short introduction, before we break up into smaller groups for subsequent discussion. We are however, adamant that participants do read the papers, or the discussions we intend to hold will not be in any manner fruitful.
So, please do come prepared (or somewhat prepared), and we look forward to having a fun and fulfilling discussion!
