Speaker: Jan Lauwereyns

In recent years, predictive coding has gained considerable popularity in cognitive science and philosophy of mind as a powerful theoretical approach (e.g., Hohwy, 2013; Clark, 2016). The basic concept of “predictive coding” is that the brain endeavours to minimize prediction errors: it tries to anticipate the current situation so as to reduce the loss of energy required to deal with the unexpected. Here, I discuss why, although this does not make sense, it may still be our best approach toward understanding the mind as it really is, as a much more creative and manipulative device, hooked on the pleasure in prediction error, and keen on reliving the rewards of the past.

Bio:

Jan Lauwereyns (1969) is a Belgian writer and scientist, currently Professor of Psychology at Kyushu University (Japan), and formerly Associate Professor in the School of Psychology at Victoria University of Wellington. His research focuses on perceptual and evaluative decision-making, combining perspectives from cognitive neuroscience, philosophy of mind, and bioethics. Lauwereyns is also an accomplished poet, essayist, and novelist in his native language Dutch.