Related events (Linguistics and Philosophy feeds)
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10/2
Logic Colloquium (Online): Lenore Blume (CMU)
Logic Colloquium (Online): Lenore Blume (CMU)
Friday, October 2nd, 2020
01:00 PM - 02:30 PM
Storrs Campus, Storrs Campus online
Join us for a talk by Lenore Blum (Carnegie Mellon) in the Logic Colloquium!
"What Can Theoretical Computer Science Contribute to the Discussion of Consciousness?"
We propose a mathematical model, which we call the Conscious Turing Machine (CTM), as a formalization of neuroscientist Bernard Baars’ Theater of Consciousness. The CTM is proposed for the express purpose of understanding consciousness. In settling on this model, we look not for complexity but simplicity, not for a complex model of the brain or cognition but a simple mathematical model sufficient to explain consciousness. Our approach, in the spirit of mathematics and theoretical computer science, proposes formal definitions to fix informal notions and deduce consequences. We are inspired by Alan Turing’s extremely simple formal model of computation that is a fundamental first step in the mathematical understanding of computation. This mathematical formalization includes a precise definition of chunk, a precise description of the competition that Long Term Memory (LTM) processors enter to gain access to Short Term Memory (STM)), and a precise definition of conscious awareness in the model. Feedback enables LTM processors to learn from their mistakes and successes and emerging links enable conscious processing to become unconscious. The reasonableness of the formalization lies in the breadth of concepts that the model explains easily and naturally. The model provides some understanding of the Hard Problem of consciousness, which we explore in the particular case of pain and pleasure. The understanding depends on the dynamics of the CTM, not on chemicals like serotonin, dopamine, and so on. We set ourselves the problem of explaining the feeling of consciousness in ways that apply as well to machines made of silicon and gold as to animals made of flesh and blood. With regard to suggestions for AI, the CTM is well suited to giving succinct explanations for whatever high level decisions it makes. This is because the chunk in STM either articulates an explanation or points to chunks that do.
Please contact Marcus Rossberg for log-in information.
https://logic.uconn.edu/calendar/ -
10/7
Philosophy Brown Bag: McLeod
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10/9
Logic Colloquium: Sam Sanders
Logic Colloquium: Sam Sanders
Friday, October 9th, 2020
11:00 AM - 12:30 PM
Storrs Campus, Storrs Campus online
Join us for the online Logic Colloquium, this week with a talk from Sam Sanders (TU Darmstadt)!
"Brouwer, Plato, and classification"
Abstract: Classification is an essential part of all the exact sciences, including mathematical logic.
The program Reverse Mathematics classifies theorems of ordinary mathematics according
to the minimal axioms needed for a proof. We show that the current scale, based on
comprehension and discontinuous functions, is not satisfactory as it classifies many
intuitively weak statements, like the uncountability of $\mathbb{R}$ or properties of
the Riemann integral, in the same rather strong class. We introduce an alternative/
complimentary scale with better properties based on (classically valid) continuity
axioms from Brouwer’s intuitionistic mathematics. We discuss how these new
results provide empirical support for Platonism.
All welcome.
Please contact Marcus Rossberg for log-in information.
https://logic.uconn.edu/calendar/ -
10/9
Parcells Lecture: Roger Crisp (Oxford U.)
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10/14
Philosophy Brown Bag: Jabbar
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10/15
ECOM - Spotlight Series Talk (Eno Agolli)
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10/19
Is The University Colonial?: Critical Conversations On Its Past
Is The University Colonial?: Critical Conversations On Its Past
Monday, October 19th, 2020
12:00 PM - 01:30 PM
Storrs Campus Virtual
In this three-part series, the University of Connecticut's Office of Global Affairs and University of Nottingham’s Institute for Policy and Engagement will be hosting three online panel discussions, each with a focus on decolonizing education. Speakers will examine the role that universities have had in cultivating racism and (settler) colonialism, the present challenges they face in disbanding unequal and oppressive narratives, as well as the future opportunities to contribute meaningfully to an anti-racist and anti-colonial agenda. Register via: https://global.uconn.edu/?p=4784 -
10/21
Philosophy Brown Bag: Battaly
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10/23
Linguistics Colloquium: Kamil ud Deen (U of Hawai'i)
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10/28
Philosophy Brown Bag
