‘But we – who are we?’ – Plotinus
Plotinus may be of great interest to the contemporary philosopher of consciousness and the self. Proponents of the current paradigm, scientific materialism, fail to explain adequately exactly what consciousness or the self actually ‘is’. The materialist may suggest consciousness and notions of self exist within and are manifestations of the brain. However, this line of thinking fails to address metaphysical questions once posed by Plotinus which are still relevant today. What is it that makes you the same person at different times? What distinguishes persons at the same time? Whatever it is, does it transcend the material body, does it go beyond the personal ‘self’ and does it survive post-mortem?
Dr Iain McGilchrist’s work is forging the way towards a post-materialist consensus. His pathbreaking theories on the nature of the mind offer a new approach to the questions of consciousness and self. Dr McGilchrist considers the subject from multiple perspectives – neuroscience, philosophy and vast swathes of Western culture. From looking at consciousness as part of something larger than simply matter – we may get closer to solving long-standing problems.
In this Tuesday Talk, Professor Lance Butler will interview Dr Iain McGilchrist. Together they will discuss Dr McGilchrist’s latest thinking and how it fits in with contemporary thought.
