Abstract \; \; Panpsychism is now a bona fide potential solution to the metaphysical quandary of consciousness. Much of the debate concerning the viability of panpsychist approaches to the metaphysics of mind is centered on the combination problem (CP)\, namely\, the problem of explaining how the putative manifestation of experience at the most basic micro-level of concrete reality comprises and substantiates the emergent actuality of familiar macro-level consciousness. In the present workshop we wish to attend\, in particular\, to the subject combination problem (SCP) &mdash\; a central variant of CP which many consider to be the most notorious and difficult to solve. Furthermore\, we wish to focus on constitutive micropsychism (CM) \, an important variant of panpsychism\, according to which the experiences of ordinary macro-subject are ontologically grounded in the primitive experiences of micro-subjects. In short\, our goal is to investigate SCP in the context of CM (although perhaps not exclusively so)\, and to examine the implications of this problem for CM's explanatory aspirations and its ontological status. \; \;
The extant literature reflects a controversy concerning how serious this form of SCP is. This controversy seems to be divided into three camps: deflationists\, optimists\, and pessimists. Deflationists argue that we need not be terribly alarmed by SCP\, either because it is no more pressing than similar problems shared by everybody (e.g.\, the binding problem) or because we simply don't know enough about how nature goes about solving the problem. Optimists\, on the other hand\, concede that the problem would indeed be dead serious if it were unsolvable\, but it is not. Pessimists think that CP is as real and intractable for constitutive micropsychism as the hard problem is for physicalism.
The purpose of the workshop is to\, firstly\, clearly stake out the motivations and details of the differing positions. Secondly\, bring the occupiers of these camps into serious dialogue with one another. Participants are requested to prepare a position paper on the severity of CP for constitutive micropsychism\, and address potential objections to their position. Finally\, we hope participants will explain the ways their assessment of CP motivates their own position on panpsychism. \;
Date On two consequtive weekends: Feb. 4-5 &\; February 11-12
\nTime: See details below. (2 speakers per session)
\nPresenters: See below
\nTopic: Panpsychism\, Combination\, and Future Directions
\n4th Feb
\n8am-9.10am EST / 2pm-3.10pm CET / 8pm-9.10pm Beijing
\nPhilip Goff
\nCosmic purpose and cosmopsychism
\n4th
\n9.20am &ndash\; 10.30am EST / 3.20pm &ndash\; 4.30pm CET / 9.20pm &ndash\; 10.30pm Beijing
\nHeath Williams
\nThe death of micropsychism has been greatly exaggerated (or has it?)
\n5th Feb
\n8am-9.10am EST / 2pm-3.10pm CET / 8pm-9.10pm Beijing
\nPatrick Lewtas
\nPanpsychism and causal powers
\n5th
\n9.20am &ndash\; 10.30am EST / 3.20pm &ndash\; 4.30pm CET / 9.20pm &ndash\; 10.30pm Beijing
\nLuke Roelofs
\nCombination Problems and Combination Solutions
\n11th Feb
\n8am-9.10am EST / 2pm-3.10pm CET / 8pm-9.10pm Beijing
\nAngela Mendelovici
\nComplexity without combination
\n12th Feb
\n8am-9.10am EST / 2pm-3.10pm CET / 8pm-9.10pm Beijing
\nItay Shani
\nCosmopsychism\, constitution\, and Coherence.
\n12th
\n9.20am &ndash\; 10.30am EST / 3.20pm &ndash\; 4.30pm CET / 9.20pm &ndash\; 10.30pm Beijing
\nHedda Hassel Mø\;rch
\nFusionist emergent panpsychism
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______________ \; Zoom Invite \; Topic: Workshop on the Combination Problem Time: This is a recurring meeting (join according to schedule). \;
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85751991542?pwd=RTRlbFR3Smg0OXd6aVVDKzd3RE1BUT09
Meeting ID: 857 5199 1542
Passcode: 143871 \; Look forward to seeing some of you there! \;
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\nDr Heath Williams. https://uwa.academia.edu/HeathWilliams
ORGANIZER;CN=Itay Shani;CN=Heath Williams: METHOD:PUBLISH END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR