The nature of consciousness is the most interesting and important question we face. Consciousness is awareness, subjective experience of internal and external worlds, of understanding, feeling, meaning, sense of self and choice. Our views of reality, of the universe, of ourselves depend on consciousness. Consciousness defines our existence.

How the brain produces consciousness is an open question, as is its place in the universe. Most scientists and philosophers assume consciousness emerged during evolution as a by-product of complex computation among brain neurons, that neurons and synapses are fundamentally no different than bit states and switches in computers.

However this neurocomputational view pays a price. It requires consciousness to be an after-the-fact illusion, merely along for the ride, a helpless spectator. Free will is deemed impossible.

Neurocomputation also precludes the possibility of non-local conscious phenomena, including oft-reported backward time effects, near-death and spiritual experiences, altered states and feelings of connection to a deeper reality. Accordingly, some believe that neurocomputation is incomplete, that consciousness is in some way intrinsic to the universe, in accord with not only ancient writings, but also modern physics, cosmology, non-locality and quantum brain biology. This view questions consciousness as a biological adaptation of evolution, and suggests consciousness has, in some sense, been here all along. Long considered 'non-scientific', such views have been bolstered in recent years by experimental evidence, and deserve to be aired and debated.

May 3-7, 2011

Aula Magna Hall

Stockholm University, Stockholm Sweden

www.consciousness.arizona.edu