Reasonable Doubt

Reasonable Doubt
Can we really trust our brain?

On March 12th we debunk a few myths about the brain. What’s the logic behind superstition? Do we use reason to make better decisions or simply to win arguments? Can we predict brain activity by measuring brain signals in real-time? How do we make decisions when there’s a conflict between our own interests and those of our social circles?

We’ve invited a few great minds who have done intensive research on the (ir)rational mind, each from a different angle. TEDxGhent will give the floor to 4 speakers and Het Denkgelag will organize a debate about it afterwards.

Where? Zaal MIRY
When? March 12th, from 7.00pm until 11pm (doors open at 6.30pm).
Tickets? €18 / €10 (students)

GUESTS

Michael Shermer
Founder of Skeptics Society & Chief Editor of Skeptic magazine
Wikipedia | Twitter | Facebook

You wouldn’t expect it, but Michael used to be a fundamentalist Christian. He changed his beliefs during his graduate studies in experimental psychology and has been a public voice for skepticism and reasoning ever since. He’s also known for his talks in which he debunks myths and superstitions. On March 12th, he will talk to us about how abstract reasoning, empiricism and rationality can guide us to a more just world.

Hugo Mercier
Researcher with the Cognitive Science Center at the University of Neuchâtel
Website | Blog

Most of Hugo’s work focuses on the function and workings of reasoning. According to him, the main purpose of logic and reason is not to make better decisions, but rather that we use it to convince people other people of our thinking. He will give us an update on his research around reasoning and some new findings in his experiments.

Pieter Buteneers
Industrial and electronics engineer, post-doc at the Reservoir Lab at UGent
LinkedIn | Twitter

Pieter’s work focuses on machine learning, a subfield of artificial intelligence. Not the kind of A.I. you’ve seen in science fiction though :-). In his research he uses Brain Computer Interfaces (BCI) to analyze human brain signals in real-time. The main goal is to develop a warning system for epileptic patients and their caregivers so a signal is emitted when the patient has a seizure. However, it could also be used to allow paralyzed people to communicate.

Carolyn Declerck
Professor at the Faculty of Applied Economics at the University of Antwerp

Carolyn teaches psychology and conducts research on cooperation and social decision-making. She’s trying to unravel the different ways in which social decision-making happens. Especially in situations where there’s a conflict between our own interests and those of our social circles.