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Am I Just My Brain? The Neuroscience and Philosophy of Altered States


This series explores how contemporary neuroscience intersects with enduring philosophical and existential questions: What is a mind? What is consciousness? Are we free? What makes us human? Drawing on brain science, philosophy, and real world experience, we examine what neuroscience can and can’t tell us about meaning, reason, language, morality, and the self.

Join us on Wednesdays at Harrison College House for this Food For Thought season as we explore the city, both real and imagined. We will discuss the power of urban metaphors, the good and bad temptations offered by the city, what it means to be an urban citizen, and how the cities of the future should look.

Dates: Wednesdays, 5:45 pm to 7:00 pm. Dinner and readings will be provided. 

  • February 4

  • February 11

  • February 18

  • February 25

  • March 4

Location: Harrison College House (M20), University of Pennsylvania

Registration: This program is open to all current undergraduate and graduate students at the University of Pennsylvania and Drexel University. To sign up, please complete the form below.

If you are a Drexel University student, we ask that you RSVP at least 2 days in advance if possible since we will need to request that you be added to Harrison College House’s access list.

Registration deadline: Friday, January 30

Please direct any questions to Mary Lee (mlee@collegiuminstitute.org).

Sign up

This seminar series is supported by a grant from the Lumen Christi Institute with funding from the John Templeton Foundation (Grant #63614).

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February 4

Medical Humanities Fellowship (Spring 2026)

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February 6

The Good: What is Distinctive About Christian Ethics? (Spring 2026 Catholic Humanism Fellowship)