Structuralism in Consciousness Studies @ Berlin 2023

INVITED COMMENTATORS
Chiara Caporuscio, U Magdeburg
Johannes Kleiner, LMU Munich
Lucia Melloni, MPI Frankfurt
Matthias Michel, NYU
Hedda Hassel Mørch, INNU Lillehammer
Wanja Wiese, RU Buchum

TOPIC
According to a classical understanding, phenomenal properties are intrinsic and qualitative. As a consequence, these properties escape a scientific third-person perspective which seems limited to quantitative and relational (or “structural”) properties.
     This view, however, has recently come under attack by a broad range of researchers from philosophy and the neurosciences. Picking up on this discussion, the conference will investigate the prospects of structural models of consciousness and whether they truly allow the development of a third-person, extrospective view of consciousness. Is structuralism the right foundation for an empirical science of phenomenality or does it also leave something out? Are they truly unaffected by the limitations and intricacies associated with first-person access or do they implicitly rely on it?
     The conference will bring together researchers from philosophy, cognitive science, and neuroscience to explore the prospects and limitations of structural methods and models in consciousness studies. A particular emphasis lies on structural accounts of phenomenality such as quality spaces or structural realism about qualities as well as a structural understanding of the underlying neural vehicles. The main goal is to investigate whether structural realism is a proper ontology for consciousness studies more broadly.

PARTICIPATION
Because this is a focused event with a limited number of seats, there will not be space for passive listeners. If individuals want to participate, we expect a short 500-word abstract on the topic of structuralism in consciousness studies. We will organise a round of lightning talks such that they can present their idea to everybody. Additionally, we will have a poster session to allow for shorter discussions in smaller groups. If you are interested, please send a blinded short abstract to [email protected] by the 15th of April. We will get in contact with you by the 1st of May to let you know about acceptance. We will retain a waiting list if slots become available. (RSVP on this site does not count.)

TRAVEL GRANTS
The event is partly sponsored by the Diamond Open Access journal "Philosophy and the Mind Sciences" (www.philosophymindscience.org) and the DFG. This allows us to provide some support in the form of travel funds for some participants that were accepted to the conference. These are limited to researchers from marginalised or underrepresented groups or geographic locations.

SPECIAL ISSUE
The event will lead to a special issue in the Diamond Open Access journal "Philosophy and the Mind Sciences" (www.philosophymindscience.org). All speakers and participants will be invited to contribute to the special issue based on their presentations at the workshop. A separate CFP will invite further contributions from the outside.

For any INQUIRIES, please email [email protected]