​Acknowledging the long history and challenges of attempts to formalize contemplative philosophy as a hard science, we propose that the young field of complexity science provides new opportunities for this age-old quest. 

​Our intention is three-fold: (1) to foster a community among experts working on either side of this intersection, (2) to collectively define the core questions and opportunities of this integration, and (3) to do so in a way that the conference itself embodies the ideals of contemplation and scientific rigor we are bridging.

​Read more about our vision here: https://docs.zoom.us/doc/UHhFnM0wSX2fgUjBCa96tQ

​October 8 to 10, 9am to 2pm US Eastern Time (each day)

​We'll have a balance of keynote talks, contributed short presentations, parallel breakout-room discussion sessions, and mindfulness practices to help us "walk the talk."

​Keynote speakers:

​Michael Levin (Tufts) – ​working to understand how to recognize, build, and ethically relate to embodied minds in the physical world. His lab uses developmental biophysics, computer science, and cognitive science to develop the field of Diverse Intelligence. His model systems include natural, engineered, and hybrid beings, with applications in regenerative medicine, bioengineering, and AI.

​Martin Nowak (Harvard) – after his foundational work in evolutionary dynamics of cooperation, he is recently looking into the mathematics of “going beyond” reductionism: integrating selection, game theory, and notions of the Good in scientific inquiry.

​Gary Lupyan (UW–Madison) – studies the effects of language on human cognition and perception, and the ways that languages are shaped by their need to be learnable and efficient. Lately he has been focusing on “hidden differences in subjective experiences”, especially individual differences in experiences of inner speech, and the ways that large language models can serve as model systems for language-based intelligence.

​Tentative Schedule [US Eastern Time]:

​October 8: Setting the stage [thesis]

​9:00 - Contemplative opening and community mapping
9:30 - Keynote talk: Martin Nowak
10:30 - Embodied integration
10:45 - Work-groups: "Foundations workshop" – mapping the territory
12:00 - Lunch and asynch discussion groups: aspirations
13:00 - Short talks: exemplar projects
13:45 - Group integration and tomorrow's intention setting

​October 9: Methods alignment [antithesis]

​9:00 - Contemplative research practice
9:20 - Keynote talk: Michael Levin
10:20 - Embodied integration
10:35 - Work-groups: "Method and metrics" – aligning on objectives and approaches
12:00 - Lunch and asynch discussion groups: challenges
13:00 - Short talks: questioning the foundations
13:45 - Group integration and tomorrow's intention setting

​October 10: Looking ahead [synthesis]

​9:00 - Gratitude and visioning practice
9:20 - Keynote talk: Gary Lupyan
10:20 - Embodied integration
10:35 - Workshop: Core scientific questions – consensus-building
12:00 - Lunch and asynch discussion groups: next steps
12:45 - Infrastructure mapping: funding, publishing, research centers
13:15 - Personal reflection and commitment practice
13:30 - Group integration and conference harvest

​Registration

​Deadline: (probably) not accepting any more talks, but you are still welcome to register to participate!

​In the registration form you can submit a proposal for a short talk to give or a discussion to lead, a short mindfulness practice you can offer, or other ways in which you'd like to support the event.

​Deliverables

​The deliverables we are looking to have from this conference:

• ​Consensus on the core questions, methods, and objectives of this field.

• ​List of 'low-hanging fruit' projects

• ​Resources map: funding sources, publication outlets, research centers, and directory of participants connected to the core questions

• ​Recorded and transcribed talks and discussions, converted into a series of essays via LLM and uploaded on YouTube

• ​Glossary of key terms, concepts and agreed-upon definition

• ​Create an online research hub for this field to stay connected after the event, build collaborations and share resources.

• ​Gauge interest and plan for in-person meeting next year

​Organizing committee

​Pavel Chvykov – Complex systems, AI, mindfulness; at IGDORE
For questions: pchvykov at umich dot edu

​Robert Marsland – Theoretical ecology, Trinitarian theology; at Pontifical University of the Holy Cross, Rome, Italy

​Matthieu Barbier – Theoretical biology, ecology, Telics; at INTP, France