Non-ordinary states of consciousness

• Campomoro, Corsica

• From 31st of August to 8th of September 2024

• A limited amount of bursaries will be available for participants who wouldn't be able to attend otherwise, covering part or all of the fees

• 16 participants

Join us for an interdisciplinary workshop that brings together researchers from various fields to investigate non-ordinary states of consciousness, such as those induced by psychedelics, meditation, and hypnosis. This collaborative event provides a unique opportunity to engage with leading experts and explore these states from both first-person and third-person perspectives.

Program

Throughout the 7-day workshop, participants will work closely with keynote speakers, collaborating in dedicated groups to create proposals that aim to investigate the nature of consciousness during non-ordinary states. These proposals will integrate insights from various angles and perspectives, leveraging the expertise of the keynote speakers and the interdisciplinary backgrounds of the participants. On the final day, each group will present their proposal, fostering discussions on its theoretical foundations, practical feasibility, and potential impact on the field.

Scientific Chair

Thomas Metzinger was Full Professor of Theoretical Philosophy at the Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz until 2019. He is past president of the German Cognitive Science Society (2005-2007) and of the Association for the Scientific Study of Consciousness (2009-2011). From 2018 to 2020 Metzinger worked as a member of the European Commission’s High-Level Expert Group on Artificial Intelligence.

Print: “Conscious Experience” (1995); “Neural Correlates of Consciousness” (2000); “Being No One” (2003). Open Access: http://www.open-mind.net/ (2015, with Jennifer Windt); Philosophy and Predictive Processing at http://predictive-mind.net/ (2017, with Wanja Wiese); Radical Disruptions of Self-Consciousness (2020, with Raphaël Millière); The Elephant and the Blind (2024).

Location

The workshop offers a balanced schedule that includes time for relaxation and personal exchange. The keynote lectures and discussion groups will be complemented by informal discussion groups on various topics on consciousness science more broadly, as well as various social activities. Embracing a spirit of community, attendees will also contribute to cooking and cleaning responsibilities, creating a warm and inclusive atmosphere that encourages the formation of lasting collaborations.

This workshop offers an opportunity to gain exposure to diverse methodologies, contribute to advancing our understanding of consciousness, and develop new research ideas in an open and stimulating environment. If you are a postdoc or PhD student interested in expanding your knowledge and network in the field of consciousness research, we invite you to apply!