Dr. Francisco Aboitiz - A History of Bodies, Brains, and Minds

https://medicina.uc.cl/persona/dr-francisco-aboitiz-dominguez/ Dr. Francisco Aboitiz, whose latest book, A History of Bodies, Brains, and Minds: The Evolution of Life and Consciousness, published by The MIT Press delves into one of the most profound and elusive questions of our time—what is consciousness, and how did it emerge? Dr. Aboitiz explores the evolution of consciousness by examining key events in brain development throughout history. His work brings clarity to the complex theories that attempt to explain consciousness, such as the Integrated Information Theory (IIT) and Global Workspace Theory (GWS). These theories, while insightful, leave the fundamental question unanswered: how do neurophysiological processes translate into the internal, subjective experiences that define sentient life? In Chapter 14, for example, Dr. Aboitiz addresses the neural mechanisms associated with consciousness, weighing the strengths and limitations of IIT and GWS. He also raises thought-provoking questions about the emergence of consciousness in evolution and its presence in non-human animals and artificial systems. Dr. Aboitiz would be an excellent guest for your audience, offering a fresh perspective on these intriguing topics. Here are a few questions he can illuminate: What are the leading theories of consciousness, and where do they fall short? How do we measure consciousness in non-human animals, and what ethical implications does this have? Can consciousness emerge in artificial systems, such as large language models? What are the evolutionary benefits of consciousness, if any? How does the concept of pan-psychism challenge our understanding of consciousness? Dr. Aboitiz’s insights will not only inform but also inspire your audience to think more deeply about the nature of consciousness and its role in our lives. More About Dr. Francisco Aboitiz Francisco Aboitiz is the director of the Interdisciplinary Center for Neuroscience and professor of psychiatry at the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. His research includes the evolution of the brain and cognition, and the neurocognitive underpinnings of conditions such as ADHD, autism, multiple sclerosis, and epilepsy. He is also involved in social projects, such as implementing robotics workshops for children in schools of social risk and screening resilience signatures in adolescent mothers. Dr. Aboitiz has authored more than 140 scientific articles and is the author of A Brain for Speech. A View From Evolutionary Neuroanatomy and A History of Bodies, Brains, and Minds: The Evolution of Life and Consciousness.