Shreveport Zombie Walk

Just when I was (again) thinking that nothing ever happens in Shreveport we get this.

O'Regan Book

O’Regan, J. K. (2011). Why Red Doesn’t Sounds Like a Bell: Understanding the feel of consciousness. New York, NY: Oxford University Press

(H/T to Tom Froese at Life and Mind Seminars.)

May Travels

It's impressive what Apple's iMovie and Garage Band will let someone with zero talent (like me) do.  But, I think the novelty of this wears off pretty quickly.

I got to do what is, for me, a lot of traveling.  But, it's nothing to compared Colin Allen's 15 cities in 9 countries on four continents and two planets this semester.

I had hoped to get back to more blogging this June, but I am not sure, since I have a very full writing schedule for the summer.  Anyway, after a nice Memorial Day with the kids and grandkids, it's back to nose to the grindstone.

Group Photo from the Computation, Realization, and the Brain Workshop

Thanks to Eli Dresner, Oron Shagrir, and Maya Zuckerman for putting this workshop together!  Excellent papers, good people, and a stunning venue.

Zednik: Mental Mechanisms and the Extended Mind

Carlos Zednik 

Indiana University Cognitive Science Program 

June 2010

Abstract:

Robert Rupert (2004) challenges the Extended Mind Hypothesis on the grounds that it appears to undermine the viability and productivity of cognitive science. In this paper, I respond to Rupert’s challenge by questioning his construal of cognitive scientific practice. Although the Extended Mind Hypothesis may in fact threaten the viability of a cognitive science that seeks the discovery of law‐like generalizations, cognitive scientists typically seek to describe the mechanisms that underlie such generalizations. By acknowledging the role of mechanistic explanation in contemporary cognitive scientific practice, I argue that the Extended Mind Hypothesis presents no threat to our current and future understanding of mind and cognition.

Link here.

New book by Georg Theiner

Res Cogitans Extensa: A Philosophical Defense of the Extended Mind Thesis.


Georg will also be moving to Villanova this summer to start teaching next year.

Well done, Georg, and glad to have you back stateside.

The Embodiment of Life: The Legacy of Francisco Varela

A conference at City University London, Wednesday June 1, in the Birley Lecture Theatre of the Centenary Building.

Description: 

Francisco Varela was one of the most innovative and influential cognitive scientists of the last 50 years. His unique ability to blend deep knowledge of neuroscience, European philosophy and Tibetan Buddhism has had a profound affect on our understanding of the immune system, embodied cognition, and the relationship between brain and consciousness. To mark the 10th anniversary of his untimely death, this symposium brings together some of those who knew Francisco and explores the way his work continues to guide investigations of human nature of many different kinds.

Among those taking part will be Stephen Batchelor (Buddhist teacher), Michel Bitbol (Philosopher), Paul Bourgine (Engineer), John Protevi (Philosopher) and Antonino Raffone (Neuroscientist).

Registration here. Program here.

(From John Protevi's post at New APPS)

Menary to Macquarie

Congrats to Richard on his taking up a post July 1, 2011 at Macquarie University in the Centre for Cognition and its Disorders and the Department of Philosophy.

Special Issue on Extended Mind in Teorema

Table of contents here.

Á. GARCÍA RODRÍGUEZ
An Extended View of Mind and and Cognition

T. BITTNER
Parity Cuts Both Ways: Split Brains and Extended Cognition

J. KIVERSTEIN and M. FARINA
Embraining Culture: Leaky Minds and Spongy Brains

R. MANZOTTI
The Spread Mind: is Consciousness Situated?

J. PARTHEMORE
Of Boundaries and Metaphysical Starting Points: Why the Extended Mind Cannot Be So Lightly Dismissed

L. MCKINNELL
We Are the World: Environmental Rights and the Extended Self

G. VICARI
The Self Between Vehicle Externalism and the Myth of the Cartesian Theatre

Thanks to Leslie Marsh for posting a link.

Congrats to Chemero

He receives honors at Franklin and Marshall.  Info here.