I address how sentience might arise using a comparative analysis of the nondual philosophy of the 11th century Hindu philosopher Abhinavagupta in relation to a contemporary, currently popular neuroscientific theory addressing the relation between the mind and the body, Integrated Information Theory (IIT 3.0). How it is that some things and entities are classified as sentient, while others are not? While much of Indian philosophy engages with the concept of consciousness, often writ in large and abstract terms, as cit or samvit, I suggest that Abhinavagupta’s articulation of consciousness as vimarśa may be better suited as a concept for determining the status of sentience. This analysis of Abhinavagupta’s panentheism, particularly with the concept of vimarśa, brings to the forefront a crucial and often somewhat overlooked premise underlying IIT 3.0’s ontological framework: the implicit and requisite assumption of subjectivity within materiality.

Abstract:

Many say that we are suffering from a crisis of a lack of trust in science in this country. In response, significant effort has been lavished on improving science communication—with the aim of promoting such trust. But it’s not always clear what “trust of science” ought to mean. Does “science” really deserve “our” trust? Why? Without compelling answers to these questions, we are rudderless when it comes to improving the relationship between science and the public. I will attempt to steer us in a better direction.

Please attend, and please encourage your colleagues, students, and friends to attend.

Tickets for An Evening with Bill the Science Guy in the Pamplin Sports Center are now SOLD OUT. A free simulcast of An Evening with Bill Nye the Science Guy will be shown in the Agnes Flanagan Chapel. Tickets are not required for the simulcast.

Bill Nye — scientist, engineer, comedian, author, and inventor—will bring his special brand of pop culture science literacy to Portland on Saturday, October 25 at 7 p.m. at the Pamplin Sports Center at Lewis & Clark, 0615 SW Palatine Hill Road. The event is open to public; doors open at 6 p.m.

At the event, Nye will delve into his early history, the importance of science education, and inspiring others to change the world through it. Nye has worked to make science entertaining and accessible for most of his life. He initially discovered a talent for tutoring in high school, and spent afternoons and summers demystifying math for his fellow students.