The Science of Consciousness, June 5-10, 2017, Hyatt Regency La Jolla, San Diego, California

Sponsored by

The Center for Consciousness Studies, The University of Arizona

('TSC' - 'The Science of Consciousness' conference series since 1994)

Co-sponsored by

The Center for Consciousness Science, The University of Michigan

Sponsors

The Roger Penrose Institute, La Jolla, California

The BHAUMIK Institute of Theoretical Physics at UCLA (Mani Bhaumik Foundation)

The Arthur C. Clarke Center for Human Imagination, UCSD

Quantum Gravity Research, Los Angeles

Dayalbagh Educational Institute, Agra, India

Conference Program Committee

Stuart Hameroff (Chair), Abi Behar-Montefiore, Betsy Bigbee, James Tagg, Erik Viirre, Jay Sanguinetti,

Paavo Pykkanen

'The Science of Consciousness' ('TSC') is the world's largest and longest-running interdisciplinary conference on all aspects of the nature of conscious experience, awareness, feelings and existence. Questions include how the brain produces consciousness, whether consciousness is intrinsic to the universe, or an epiphenomenal illusion, how consciousness can causally affect brain processes, what are the best empirical-theories, do we have free will, how did life and consciousness originate and evolve, what are the origins of moral and aesthetic values, how can we improve mental, physical and cognitive function, and can consciousness persist after bodily death, e.g. through 'uploading' to machines, or via mental processes tied to the natural world? These and other relevant questions are approached through many disciplines in science, philosophy, culture and contemplative practices.

'TSC' began at the University of Arizona in Tucson in 1994, and returns there in even-numbered years, alternating with TSC conferences around the globe (Italy, Denmark, Japan, Hungary, Hong Kong, Sweden, India, Czech Republic, Finland). The 2017 conference was scheduled in Shanghai, China, June 5-10, but due to unforeseen circumstances is moving to San Diego, specifically The Hyatt Regency La Jolla at Aventine, near the UCSD campus.

The TSC 2017 conference will consist of Plenary Sessions, Pre-Plenary Workshops, Evening Concurrent Talk and Poster sessions, Technology and Art Exhibits, Social Events, Entertainment and Satellite Excursions.

The Plenary program is nearly complete (see below), and Concurrent sessions are also nearly filled. Abstract submission for talks and posters will now reopen until April 20. Send abstract of 500 words or less to center@u.arizona.edu

Abstracts will be posted on the Center website

http://www.consciousness.arizona.edu

Registration and Hotel link

http://www.consciousness.arizona.edu

Program Highlights

Plenary program

Tuesday June 6, 2017

PL1 2:00 to 4:10 pm

Can Machines be Conscious?

Sir Roger Penrose, Oxford

Joscha Bach, Harvard

James Tagg, Cengine, The Penrose Institute

Wednesday June 7, 2017

PL2 8:30 to 10:40am

Language and Consciousness

Noam Chomsky, MIT

Tom Bever, Arizona

Michael Spivey, UC Merced

PL3 11:10 am to 12:30 pm

Biophysics 1- Memory, Spin and Anesthesia

Matthew Fisher, UC Santa Barbara

Travis Craddock, Nova Southeastern

PL4 2:00 to 4:10 pm

Non-invasive Brain Stimulation Panel

Marom Biksom, CCNY (electrical)

John JB Allen, Arizona (ultrasound)

Marvin Berman, Vielight (IR photons)

Michael Rohan, Harvard (magnetic)

Thursday June 8

PLS 8:30 to 10:40 am

Physics, Cosmology and Consciousness

PL8 11:10 am to 12:30 pm Biophysics 2 - Memristors in the Brain? Leon Chua, UCSF Jack Tuszynski, U Alberta

PL 2:00 to 4:10 pm

Neuroscience and Consciousness 2

Ralph Greenspan, UCSD (tentative)

VS Ramachandran, UCSD

Daniel Sheehan, USD

Saturday June 10

PL10 9:00 to 11:00 am

Origin and Evolution of Life and Consciousness

Bruce Damer, UC Santa Cruz

Alysson Muotri, UCSD

Stuart Hameroff, University of Arizona

PL11 11:40 am to 1:00 pm

Xingjin Xun, Fudan University, China

Deepak Chopra, Chopra Foundation

PL12 2:30 to 4:40 pm Vibrations, Resonance and Consciousness Jiapai Dai, South Central University, China