Who decides? Neuroscience and the question of freedom

10/06/2012

 

The fifth debate in the series To the origins of the human mind, organized by the B·Debate International Center for Scientific Debate Barcelona —a joint initiative of Biocat and the “la Caixa” Foundation— and the Centre de Cultura Contemporània de Barcelona (CCCB), will take place this evening at the CCCB. The event is open to the general public.

Michael S. Gazzaniga, professor of Psychology and director of the SAGE Center for the Study of Mind at the University of California —who is considered one of the leading global experts in cognitive neuroscience— will speak about neuroscience and the question of freedom. Neuroscience has opened up new frontiers in the debate on the biological determinism of human behavior: are we beings with free will or are we dominated by our unconscious minds?

Throughout his distinguished career, Gazzaniga has reached key breakthroughs in our understanding of how the two hemispheres of the brain work. Likewise he has worked doggedly to raise awareness of these scientific issues through his books and participation in numerous conferences and television programs like The Brain and the Mind. He is the founder and director of renowned scientific societies like the Cognitive Neuroscience Society (CNS) and served as president of the American Psychological Society.

The debate will also feature Jordi Camí, professor of Pharmacology at the Pompeu Fabra University and director of the Barcelona Biomedical Research Park (PRBB), as presenter and moderator.


 
Date: 21, 22 and 29 May, 5 and 11 June 2012
Time: 7:30 pm
Venue: CCCB • C/ Montalegre, 5 • Barcelona (map)

Advance sales at the ticket desk of the CCCB and through Telentrada (902 101 212 and www.telentrada.com).
Free simultaneous translation in Catalan. Admission per session: 3 €. Reduced price: 2.50 €. Friends of the CCCB and the unemployed: free.

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