Spinozism and the Problems of Mind, by Dr Peter Sjöstedt-Hughes

Friday Seminar Series

Topic: Spinozism and the Problems of Mind
Speaker: Dr Peter Sjöstedt-Hughes (University of Exeter)
Date: 8th January 2021
Abstract:
In this talk, philosopher of mind Dr Peter Sjöstedt-H will present a brief exposition of Spinoza’s metaphysics, with an emphasis on its monist panpsychism (a theory of ubiquitous sentience). We will then look at Spinozism’s provocative legacy in the West, and its relation to both ‘the hard problem of consciousness’ and the deep ecology movement.
Throughout the metaphysical and historical exposition, there will emerge issues relevant to contemporary philosophy of mind – such as the problems of 'mental emergence' and 'mental causation' – with reference to thinkers such as Jaegwon Kim, Arne Naess, and A. N. Whitehead.

[dionysianapollomarx]

Thank you for this lecture, Sirs! I am invested heavily in Spinozism. Even more after the lecture.