The workshop will bring together philosophers and scientists to discuss foundational issues about consciousness raised by studies of patients diagnosed with vegetative state, as well as related disorders such as the minimally conscious state and locked-in syndrome.  A particular focus will be recent work that uses brain imaging techniques to monitor signs of consciousness in these patients.

Speakers will include Tim Bayne (Philosophy, Oxford), David Chalmers (Philosophy, ANU), Jakob Hohwy (Philosophy, Monash), Levin Kuhlmann (Neuroengineering, Melbourne), Neil Levy (Philosophy, Melbourne/Oxford), Peter McCullagh (John Curtin School of Medical Research, ANU), David Reutens (Queensland Brain Institute).

Program

Thursday 16 March

10-11.20am, David Reutens (Queensland Brain Institute), Clinical Differentiation of Vegetative State from its Mimics

11.40am-1.00pm, Jakob Hohwy (Philosophy, Monash), Dimensions of Consciousness

2-3.20pm, Malcolm Horne (Florey Institute), Functional Neuroimaging and Withdrawal of Life-Sustaining Treatment from Vegetative Patients

4-5.20pm, Neil Levy (Philosophy, Melbourne/Oxford), Consciousness in the Vegetative State: Some Residual Doubts.

7pm, Conference Dinner

Friday 27 March

10-11.20am, Levin Kuhlmann (Neuroengineering, Melbourne), The Functional and Anatomical Correlates of Awareness: MRI Investigations of Patients with Post-Coma Unresponsiveness.

11.40-1pm, Tim Bayne (Philosophy, Oxford), The Vegetative State and the Problem of Other Minds

2-3.20am, Peter McCullagh (John Curtin School, ANU), Three Decades of Begging the Question: An Epistemological Slant on PVS

4-5.20pm, David Chalmers (Philosophy/Centre for Consciousness, ANU), Wrap-up /Discussion