Annual LERN Medawar Memorial Lecture
We are pleased to announce that speaker for the next Annual Medawar Lecture is Nicholas Humphrey, Emeritus Professor of Psychology at LSE and Visiting Professor of Philosophy, at the New College of the Humanities.
Nicholas Humphrey is author of many academic papers and popular science books on the evolution of human intelligence and consciousness and earned several prestigious awards, such as the Martin Luther King Memorial Prize, the British Psychological Society’s book award, the Pufendorf Medal and the International Mind and Brain Prize.
For our Medawar event, Nicholas will unfold some of the mysteries regarding the conception of human consciousness, a golden opportunity you wouldn’t want to miss:
The Invention of Consciousness
In English we use the word “invention” in two ways. First, to mean a new device or process developed by experimentation, and designed to fulfill a practical goal. Second, to mean a mental fabrication, especially a falsehood, developed by art, and designed to please or persuade.
In this talk I’ll argue that human consciousness is an invention in both respects. First, it is a cognitive faculty, evolved by natural selection, designed to help us make sense of ourselves and our surroundings. But then, second, it is a fantasy, conjured up by the brain, designed to persuade us of our own metaphysical importance.
This event is free to attend and open to anyone so we encourage you to bring friends and family.
Where: Roberts G06 Sir Ambrose Fleming LT
When: 6pm, 26th of January 2015
After the talk there will be a chance to chat with Nicholas and the rest of the attendees for an informal drinks reception at the venue and a sit-down meal in a local restaurant. If you would like to attend the dinner please send us an email to [email protected] to reserve your seat.
