Abstract:

Is there any reason why consciousness cannot be explained in scientific terms? 
Are the ‘mind’ and the ‘brain’ fundamentally different categories? 
Could a conscious being be constructed from sufficiently advanced electronic components? 
Could a machine be conscious? 
Is the human mind nothing but a sophisticated machine? 
Could conscious machines one day be more intelligent than us? Could they rule over us? 
Does the frontier of physics, such as quantum mechanics, enable us to explain consciousness?


Speakers:
 
Four Professors from different disciplines will debate this important and difficult question:
Emeritus Professor Igor Aleksander (Imperial College, London), Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering 
Professor Johnjoe McFadden (University of Surrey), Professor of Molecular Genetics 
Professor Mark Bishop (Goldsmiths College), Professor of Cognitive Computing 
Professor Geoffrey Hunt (SMUC), CBET Director and Professorial Research Fellow in Philosophy 
and Nanotechnology
Chair: Dr Y. J. Erden (SMUC), Research Fellow in Ethics and Emerging Technologies

 
Registration:
 
Registration is not required, and the event is free and open to students, staff and the general 
public. We would be grateful if you could let us know of your intention to attend, so that we can 
arrange sufficient refreshments. There will also be a small reception for speakers and staff after
the event. If you would like to join us at this, please RSVP by Wednesday 5th October.
 
 
Venue:
 
The Waldegrave Drawing Room, St Mary’s University College, Waldegrave Road, Strawberry Hill, 
Twickenham, TW1 4SX, UK.
Parking in the streets around the university is limited. Where possible we strongly advise you 
to use public transport. Please let us know about any special requirements.
Directions to the university: 
http://www.smuc.ac.uk/contact/directions.htm

For further information, please contact Dr Yasemin J. Erden: erdenyj@smuc.ac.uk