Summary
The enigma of Consciousness is perhaps the most fascinating mystery in the Universe.
In the absence of definitive and widely shared answers, the study of consciousness and of the process through which we have cognition of Reality, must be fronted with a multidisciplinary approach that includes not only neurosciences, but also biology, artificial intelligence, philosophy of science and epistemology, as well as Quantum Physics and Contemplative Practices. While the first constitute the most advanced approach to the study of the physical world, which also extends to phenomena that take place at the nanoscopic level in biological tissues, the latter allows to explore in a profound and accurate way aspects of the problem that are not accessible with objective methods and that concern the first-person experience. For these reasons, the School will be organized in order to explore the enigma of Consciousness not only from a third person (objective) point of view, but also from that of personal experience, with the participation of teachers who are experts in all these disciplines.
The School will take place in a residential form, thanks to a Convention between the University of Pisa and the Lama Tzong Khapa Institute, 35 Km from Pisa, renowned for the excellent quality of its study programs of Buddhist philosophy and psychology. A specific space will be reserved for the experiential aspect in order to integrate the lessons with familiarization sessions with contemplative practices (Yoga and Meditation). The sessions will be conducted by highly qualified teachers with specific experience and will also be usable by the students who will attend the school online.
The 2022 edition of the Summer School Consciouseness is organized with the patronage of the Italian Buddhist Union.
For details about accomodation, tuition fee, see the Summer School web page:
https://wwwnew2.unipi.it/index.php/engineering/item/16642-consciousness-cognition.
The program will be activated both on campus and online.
Aim
- (Philosophy): acquire a sensitiveness for the existence of a dimension of consciousness that overcomes the distinction between subject and object and understand its role in the current quest to explain consciousness, through a progression into insights drawn from Western philosophical approaches (especially phenomenology) and Eastern traditions and practices;
- (Quantum Mechanics) understand the basic principles of quantum mechanics to comprehend the subtler issues connected with the interpretation of the theory and their possible relevance for a discussion of consciousness, of the mind-body problem and of the nature of reality itself;
- (Artificial Intelligence): learn the basic concepts and models of nature-inspired computational techniques, and to know how to apply them to a wide range of application areas. Students will be exposed to the advantages and challenges of using computationally intelligent systems with human-like capabilities in terms of reasoning, learning and adaptation;
- (Biosemiotics): learn the basic of Biosemiotics and become acquainted with the semiotic nature of sign relationships both in biological and human-made systems, understand how cells act as semiotic units capable of interpreting their own environment through signs exchange, and eventually comprehend how sign perception and epigenetic regulation are causally linked through differential gene expression;
- (Contemplative Practices): comprehend the vision of Eastern tradition (Induism and Buddhism) concerning Consciousness and its different levels and manifestations; learn the foundations, the characteristics and the aspects of the different types of meditation;
- (Neurosciences and not Ordinary state of Consciousness): after a description of the neural networks, acting in the brain, and a survey on the main investigation techniques of the brain activity (Electroencephalography, FMRI), understand how self induced not ordinary states of consciousness by natural drugs, hypnosis, dream, deep meditation, affect this activity;
- (Practice) become familiar with the experiential aspects of contemplative practices, through Meditation and Yoga sessions led by highly qualified teachers. The sessions shall be accessed by students also online.
Courses and lectures
Title (hours) Teacher
Introduction Bruno Neri
Consciousness in Western and Eastern Traditions
Phenomenology and Yoga Giulia Moiraghi
Consciousness in Psycoanalysis Riccardo Zerbetto
Consciousness and emptiness Sonam Wangchuck
Quantum Mechanics and Consciousness Shantena Augusto Sabadini
Biosemiotics Franco Giorgi
Artificial Intelligence Mario Cimino
Measurement Techniques Nicola Vanello
Brain Networks and States of Consciousness – Ordinary and not Ordinary states of Consciousness. A. Gemignani, A. Piarulli
Restigg state and brain connectivity Gabriele Penazzi
Meditation G.Piana, A. Zaccaro, B. Neri
Hypnosis Enrico Facco
Sciamanic Trance Tania Re
Experiential Activities (optional)
- Developing the Skills of Attention: Focus, Mindful Awareness, Consciousness:
An experiential exploration in 2 sessions of the various components of attention, their importance to human flourishing, a bit about the science of attention, and how these skills can be developed through the practice of meditation.
Connie Miller
- Consciousness and Reality:
meetings with students will be aimed at bringing the topics explained in the morning session to an experiential level. The following abilities will be developed: distinguishing between conventional reality and ultimate reality, identifying in oneself minds that perceive reality in an incorrect manner, generating minds that lead to a correct understanding of the mode of existence of phenomena. There will be meditation sessions and informal Q&A sessions.
Sonam Wangchuk
- The Embodiment in Yoga. A Phenomenological-Informed Hatha-Yoga and Meditation Practice:
After having set the theoretical framework of what a phenomenological approach to reality amounts to, students are given the chance to embody through yoga this particular stance and experience first-hand how the yogic practice can become a favorable access-door to a usually overlooked and unconsidered dimension of consciousness, a dimension not taken into account within the Western ongoing debate on mind.
Giulia Moiraghi
Agenda
Friday 26th, August
Ore 21: Welcome at ILTK
Saturday 27th, August
9.30 – 10.30 Opening Session – B.Neri
10.30-12.30 Phenomenology and Yoga – G.Moiraghi
14.00-16.00 Consciousness in Psychoanalysis – R.Zerbetto
16.00- 18.00 Consciousness and Quantum Physics – Shantena A.Sabbadini
19.00-20.00 Presentation Experiential activities (Optional)
Sunday 28th, August
8.30-11.30 Shantena – A. Sabbadini
11.30 – 13.30 Conscious states: hypnosis – E. Facco
16.30-19.00 Experiential activities (Optional): Developing the Skills of Attention: Focus, Mindful Awareness, Consciousness – Connie Miller
Monday 29th, August
8.30-10.30 Meditation in Buddhism – G. Piana
10.30-12.30 Consciousness and emptiness in the Prasangika perspective – S. Wangchuk
14.00-16.00 Phenomenology and Yoga – G.Moiraghi
16.30-19.00 Experiential activities (Optional) – Consciousness and Reality – Sonam Wangchuk
- Tuesday 30th, August
8.30-10.30 Biosemiotics – F.Giorgi
10.30-12.30 Phenomenology and Yoga – G.Moiraghi
14.00-16.00 Consciousness states:Sciamanic trance – T.Re
16.30-19.00 Experiential activities (Optional): Developing the Skills of Attention: Focus, Mindful Awareness – Consciousness Connie Miller
Wednesday 31st, August
8.30-11.30 Biosemiotics – F.Giorgi
11.30-13.30 Phenomenology and Yoga – G.Moiraghi
17.00-19.00Experiential activities (Optional): The Embodiment in Yoga. A Phenomenological-Informed Hatha-Yoga and Meditation Practice – Giulia Moiraghi
Thursday 1st, September
8.30-10.30 States of Consciousness – MeditationA.Zaccaro
10.30-12.30 AI – M.Cimino
14.00-16.00 AI -M.Cimino
16.30-19.00 Experiential activities (Optional) Consciousness and Reality – Sonam Wangchuk
Friday 1st, September
8.30-10.30 AI – M.Cimino
10.30-12.30 Investigation techniques and signal elaboration – N. Vanello
14.00-16.00 Resting state and brain connectivity – G.Penazzi
17.00-19.00 Experiential activities (Optional): The Embodiment in Yoga. A Phenomenological-Informed Hatha-Yoga and Meditation Practice – Giulia Moiraghi
Saturday 3rd, September
08.30-10.30 A.Piarulli
10.30-13.30 A.Gemignani
15.00-17-00 Report from a Tibetan Monastery and Conclusions B.Neri
Sunday 4th, September
8.30-10.30 Final Test