Medical Humanities series – Mark Solms | Institute for Creative Arts

Professor Mark Solms, internationally acclaimed neuropsychologist and psychoanalyst, will present a lecture describing the foundational brain mechanisms of consciousness, feeling, emotion and value, as part of the Medical Humanities series on Thursday 15 August 2013 in the Anatomy Lecture Theatre, UCT Hiddingh Campus.

Mark Solms is best known for his discovery of the forebrain mechanisms of dreaming, and his pioneering use of psychoanalytic methods and theories in contemporary neuroscience. He has published more than 300 papers in both neuroscientific and psychoanalytic journals, and five books, including The Neuropsychology of Dreams (1997), Clinical Studies in Neuropsychoanalysis (2000) and The Brain and the Inner World (2002).

In this lecture, Quality and the Brain, Professor Solms will discuss the brain mechanisms of consciousness, feeling, emotion and value, unpacking the implications for both aesthetics and ethics. Following the argument that consciousness originates from within, he will explain conscious experience as a subjective phenomenon, constrained (rather than shaped) by external perception.The lecture will also consider the relationship between consciousness and emotion, highlighting the significance of empirical investigations of the intrinsic and inherently value-laden systems of the brain.

Mark Solms is the Head of the Department of Psychology at UCT, president of the South African Psychoanalytical Association, a member of the British Psychoanalytical Society, and an Honorary Member of the New York Psychoanalytic Society. Other honours include the George Sarton Medal for contributions to the history and philosophy of science (Rijksuniversiteit Gent, 1996), the International Psychiatrist award for contributions to American psychiatry (American Psychiatric Association, 2001), and the Sigourney Prize for contributions to psychoanalysis (2012).

This event will take place on Thursday 15 August 2013 at 17:30 in the Anatomy Lecture Theatre, Old Medical School Building, University of Cape Town (UCT) Hiddingh Campus, Orange Street, Cape Town, and is free. Refreshments will be served from 17:00; no booking is necessary.

Forthcoming speakers in the Medical Humanities public lecture series include prominent researchers from a range of disciplines: Raj Ramesar, head of the Division of Human Genetics, UCT; Catherine Burns, WITS Institute for Social and Economic Research; Elelwani Ramugondo, head of the Division of Occupational Therapy, UCT; and Lorna Martin, head of the Division of Forensic Medicine, UCT. For more information on the Medical Humanities series, contact the GIPCA office on 021 480 7156 or fin-gipca@uct.ac.za.

Mark Solms audio recording available for download.