Can physicalism fully explain all features of the phenomenal world? The international conference to be held in Gainesville, Florida, from January 18 to 20, 2019, organized by the Bhaktivedanta Institute for Higher Studies is a  multi-disciplinary exploration of the possibilities and challenges of the topic of consciousness in science with the participation of scientists and scholars – physicists, philosophers, chemists, biologists, neuroscientists, psychologists, mathematicians, computer scientists, geologists etc.  – from all over the world​.

Those who are interested but can’t attend in person, they can live stream the conference in the comfort of their home.

The conference begins on Friday, January 18^that 7:00 PM U.S. Eastern Time, at the Harn Museum of Art, Gainesville, Florida. Keynote speakers will be Stuart Hameroff and Brenda Dunne.

Stuart Hameroff, MD, is an anesthesiologist and professor at the University of Arizona. He has written or edited numerous books, and over one hundred scientific articles about consciousness. In the mid-1990s Hameroff teamed up with famed British physicist Sir Roger Penrose to develop a quantum theory of consciousness.

Brenda Dunne, of the Princeton Environmental Engineering Anomalies Laboratory, has authored or co-authored over one hundred publications and technical reports on anomalous consciousness-related phenomena.

On January 19^th-20^ththe conference continues at the historic Thomas Center. The speakers will include Hridayananda Goswami, Akhandadhi Das, Ravibdra Svarupa Das, Drutakarma Das, Dr. Ravi Gupta and others.

The “Consciousness in Science” Conference is intended to involve all fields of scientific endeavor. It will be an opportunity for devotee scientists to come together, hear from others and, perhaps, present original research regarding the scientific basis of Krishna consciousness; or simply to gain inspiration and make new friends and contacts for future collaboration. Together, they will consider how to develop a dynamic, devoted and reputable academic community that will contribute to this aspect of Srila Prabhupada’s mission: to present their scientific research to the scientists in their language as well as communicate ISKCON’s message to the public and the ISKCON community. 

The primary goal for this global gathering is to encourage dialogue between devotee scientists interested in the role of consciousness and its interaction with physical matter as a fundamental aspect of science.

Srila Prabhupada called for all those within the ISKCON movement with an advanced degree to come together and present counter propositions to the matter-centered concept prevalent within modern society. By questioning whether all features of the universe, including life and consciousness, can be fully explained with reference to the properties of physical matter, the BIHS hopes to lay a foundation for an alternative model of existence based on the Gaudiya Vaishnava philosophy. This will include carrying out research that applies the insights of Vedic philosophy to expand our understanding of the scientific view of reality, as well as using science to enhance our appreciation of Vedic philosophy. This cross-pollination of two highly sophisticated bodies of knowledge can show how together both disciplines can benefit society.    

For more information about how to stream the conference visit: www.consci19.org.