Philosophy: Beyond Folk Psychology – What Memory Science Cannot Teach Us About Memory With Dr Maria Serban From University of East Anglia

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In this Philosophy session, Dr Maria Serban, Lecturer in Philosophy in the School of Politics, Philosophy and Area Studies at University of East Anglia, will run an interactive talk for students on Beyond Folk Psychology – What Memory Science Cannot Teach Us About Memory.

Join us for “Beyond Folk Psychology” where we’ll explore how our everyday understanding of the mind contrasts with scientific discoveries. Do we really remember events as they happened, or do we construct narratives that feel true?

Drawing on connections between Cartesian dualism and modern cognitive science, we’ll challenge assumptions about memory, consciousness, and personal identity that shape how we interpret our experiences.

This session engages with contemporary philosophical debates about eliminative materialism and the metaphysics of mind, asking the unsettling question: what if our cherished concepts of beliefs, desires, and even consciousness itself are as scientifically obsolete as phlogiston or vital spirits?

Lecturer Profile: Dr Maria Serban

Our events are designed so that a group of students can take part from a classroom or students and teachers can take part as individuals, either from school or from home. There is no charge to take part.

As a live, participative event, this session will not be recorded but slides and other resources will be shared after the event, where available.

Suitable for: Aged 16+ pre-university students studying, or with a possible interest in studying, Philosophy and related disciplines. Student groups as well as students and teachers joining individually are very welcome.

Preparation/Pre-Reading: Students may wish to consider the topic in advance and questions they have. Students can also think about questions about studying at university level.

The IT Setup: The event will be run on Zoom and participants will be able to join using laptops, tablets, and mobile devices. If you are joining as a school group, we recommend connecting with one device and projecting on to a whiteboard. You will be able to interact with the speaker via typed comments and questions and/or via a microphone. Full details will be sent to those who have registered (see below) prior to the event.

Booking a Place: This is free for schools and colleges. If you would like to take part in this event, please register your interest using the link to the registration form below:

Register here