Author: John von Neumann Book Review:  “The Computer and the Brain”

Presenter:  Harold Morowitz

Time: 12 pm  EST Date: Feb. 8, 2016 Place: Krasnow Institute

If you have any questions, please contact Harold Morowitz at morowitz@gmu.edu

Neuroscience On Air Broadcast

Presenter

Harold Morowiz, PhD – GMU

Robinson Fellow, George Mason University Eminent Scholar, Molecular Neuroscience Dept.

Biophysicist Harold Morowitz became a Robinson Professor after a long career of teaching and research at Yale University as Professor of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry and serving for five years as Master of Pierson College. Dr. Morowitz is interested in philosophical foundations of neurobiology and the problem of consciousness.

Title: The Problem with Phi: A Critique of Integrated Information Theory Author: Michael A. Cerullo

Presenter: Todd Gillette Moderator: Harold Morowitz

Time: 12 pm  EST Date: Jan. 13, 2016 Place: Krasnow Institute YouTube Page

Time permitting, Harold Morowitz will discuss John von Neumann revisited “The Computer and the Brain”and “Self Reproducing Automata”.

If you have any questions, please contact Harold Morowitz at morowitz@gmu.edu

Broadcast

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=syGoFofcJ7k

Article by Michael Cerullo

The Problem with Phi: A Critique of Integrated Information Theory (PLOS Computational Biology) Sept. 17, 2015

The most recent version of Integrated Information Theory being critiqued is presented in From the Phenomenology to the Mechanisms of Consciousness: Integrated Information Theory 3.0.

The useful Chalmers article that the above article refers to is: Absent qualia, fading qualia, dancing qualia

Summary

In the last decade, Guilio Tononi has developed the Integrated Information Theory (IIT) of consciousness. IIT postulates that consciousness is equal to integrated information (Φ). The goal of this paper is to show that IIT fails in its stated goal of quantifying consciousness. The paper will challenge the theoretical and empirical arguments in support of IIT. The main theoretical argument for the relevance of integrated information to consciousness is the principle of information exclusion. Yet, no justification is given to support this principle. Tononi claims there is significant ...

Information

LinkedIn page

Email: k.moradi@gmail.com

Biosketch

Dr. Moradi is a graduate of medicine and a PhD student in neuroscience. I have been a member of different gifted and talented programs that include: “The National Organization for Development of Exceptional Talents (NODET)”, “Iranian Young Scholars’ Club”, “The Gifted and Talented Program office” of Zanjan University of Medical Sciences and “The National Foundation of Elites”, respectively. Currently, I am a PhD student and research assistant at “Krasnow Institute for Advanced Studies” at George Mason University.

Education

George Mason University Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Neuroscience 2014 – 2018 Zanjan University of Medical Sciences Doctor of Medicine (M.D.), General Practitioner, B 2001 – 2009 Biochemistry, Pharmacology Physiology, Immunology, Human Anatomy, Histology, Pathology, Bacteriology, Virology, Parasitology, Entomology, Mycology, Epidemiology, Infectious disease, Surgery, Orthopedics Neurosurgery, Neurology, Psychology, Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ophthalmology, Otolaryngology, Dermatology, Medical Physics, Radiology ECG interpretation, Adult and Infant CPR, ABG, wound closure Evidence-based Medicine, Hospitals, and Healthcare

Activities and Societies: Gifted and Talented Program, Board of Founders Research Committee, Board Member 1st Prize winner of the18th International Medical Sciences Student Congress, 2003, Turkey, Top Student in research, 2003 and 2004 Allameh ...

TITLE: “Neuronal Basis of Consciousness”

PRESENTER: Mike Pritz

TIME: 11:30 AM     DATE: June 2, 2015

PLACE: Krasnow Institute, George Mason University

ORGANIZER: Harold Morowitz

Participants

Eric Rob Cressman Nadine Kabbani Scott Joy Alexei Somsonovich Jim Rutt Linda Maguire Kevin Schmidt Ruchi Parekh Todd Gillette et al

Meeting Notes

Mike presents how Sensory input can directly affect motor behavior through spinal cord > thalamus > Amygdala, Hippocampus, Striatus, and Cortex or via intrinsic activity of these regions.

Also how REM sleep appears to mimic awake state… high frequency, low power as opposed to deep sleep with high power, low frequency

Discussion about Tononi, Integration Information Theory (Todd will review for next meeting) Chalmers (Alexei will review), and Bernard Barr (Jim will review)

Problem of definitions of consciousness, qualia

Linda is researching impact of music on treatment for diseases

Jim and team has been studying how artificial consciousness can be created

Eric suggests to focus on how brain/mind 1- Does things, 2- Able to use what know and 3- How feels

Summary

Founding Director, Krasnow Institute for Advanced Studies Professor, Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University Eminent Scholar, GMU Molecular Neuroscience Department and Robinson Fellow

Biophysicist Harold Morowitz became a Robinson Professor after a long career of teaching and research at Yale University as Professor of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry and serving for five years as Master of Pierson College. Dr. Morowitz was interested in philosophical foundations of neurobiology and the problem of consciousness.

Information

Web:  Robinson web page     Wikipedia Entry Email: morowitz@gmu.edu Phone: 703.993.4334 Location: Krasnow Institute

Biosketch

Born Dec. 4, 1927, died March 22, 2016.

From Robinson web page

Biophysicist Harold Morowitz became a Robinson Professor after a long career of teaching and research at Yale University as Professor of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry and serving for five years as Master of Pierson College. The author of several books, Morowitz has written extensively on the thermodynamics of living systems, as well as on popular topics in science. Included in those publications are Mayonnaise and the Origins of Life, Cosmic Joy and Local Pain, The Thermodynamics of Pizza, Entropy and the Magic Flute,and The Kindly Dr. Guillotin. In his current research, Morowitz is investigating the interface of biology and information sciences and continues his exploration of the origins ...