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Consciousness expert to speak at CLU
By Anonymous — Monday, October 18th, 2010
David Chalmers will discuss reality, intelligence
 David Chalmers THOUSAND OAKS, CA. – An Australian leader in the science of consciousness will discuss reality, knowledge and intelligence in a pair of lectures at California Lutheran University on Friday, Nov. 5. David Chalmers, Ph.D., will explore “From ‘The Matrix’ to the Singularity” during the 25th annual Harold Stoner Clark Lectures in Samuelson Chapel. He will present “’The Matrix’ as Metaphysics” at 10 a.m. and follow up with “The Singularity: A Philosophical Analysis” at 4 p.m. Chalmers will discuss fundamental philosophical issues raised by the progress of computer technology. With virtual reality, how do we know we are not in a simulated world, such as that of “The Matrix”? With artificial intelligence, is it possible for there to be a “singularity” in which artificial machines surpass human intelligence, and if so what happens then? Chalmers is Director of the Centre for Consciousness and Distinguished Professor of Philosophy at the Australian National University as well as a visiting professor of philosophy at New York University. His latest book, “The Character of Consciousness,” was just released. His work on consciousness has attracted attention from many scientists and philosophers. Chalmers, former director of the Center for Consciousness Studies at the University of Arizona and a founder of the Association for the Scientific Study of Consciousness, has been a leader in the interdisciplinary science of consciousness, organizing some of the most important conferences in the field. He also works on issues of language, metaphysics and artificial intelligence. In 2010 he gave the John Locke Lectures at Oxford University on the topic of “Constructing the World.” Born in Sydney, Chalmers studied mathematics at the University of Adelaide and as a Rhodes scholar at Oxford University. He then turned to philosophy and cognitive science, completing a Ph.D. at Indiana University in 1993. The late Harold Stoner Clark endowed the free lecture series, requesting that presentations address his dual interests of science and philosophy. CLU’s Department of Philosophy sponsors the talks. The chapel is located south of Olsen Road near the corner of Campus Drive in Thousand Oaks. Additional parking is available in the lot at the corner of Olsen and Mountclef Boulevard. For more information, visit http://www.callutheran.edu/hsc |
