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DL2024: Descartes Lectures 2024
Tilburg, Netherlands, July 29-31, 2024
Conference websitehttps://descarteslectures2024.wordpress.com/
Submission linkhttps://easychair.org/conferences/?conf=dl20240
Abstract registration deadlineApril 15, 2024
Submission deadlineApril 15, 2024
Topics: ai llm consciousness

 

Descartes Lectures - July 29-31 @ Tilburg University, The Netherlands

Large Language Models & The Philosophy of Mind

The use and effectiveness of large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT-3+, and especially their ability to generate increasingly humanlike outputs, raise a number of pressing philosophical questions.

The 2024 Descartes Lectures focus on how LLMs impact debates in the philosophy of mind. Questions to consider here include: Can language models or their extensions be conscious? Can such model be said to “understand”? Can these systems think, given the (apparent) absence of sensory grounding? Can LLMs extend the human mind, and, if so, how?

By reflecting on these questions, we will not only get a better grip on the capacities of AI systems, but also shed light on more traditional issues in the philosophy of mind.

The 2024 Descartes Lectures will be delivered by Prof. David Chalmers (NYU). Each of Prof. Chalmers’ lectures will be followed by an invited commentary from our panel of commentators, and a workshop on related issues.

Submission Guidelines

List of Topics

Complementing the lectures & invited commentaries, Tilburg University will host a workshop on the topic of LLMs & The Philosophy of Mind.

To that end, we invite submissions in the form of extended abstracts (up to 500 words excluding notes and references) concerning relevant issues, to be submitted by 15 April 2024. 

Possible topics include but are not limited to:

  • Could LLMs or some nearby extensions be said to be conscious?
  • Can LLMs be said to ‘understand’?
  • Does the lack of sensory grounding impact whether LLMS genuinely think?
  • How does the use of LLMs relate to the extended mind thesis?
  • Do LLMs genuinely refer to the real world when producing language?
  • LLMs and representationalist philosophy of mind
  • The notion of general intelligence and how it might be manifested
  • Are LLMs just Blockheads (Block 1981)?

Successful submissions will be notified by 10 May 2024. Note that, unfortunately, we are unable to fund the accommodation or travel costs of those selected to present at the workshop.

Committees

Organizing committee

  • Stefaan Blancke
  • Matteo Colombo
  • Ties van Gemert
  • Nathan Wildman

Invited Speakers

  • David Chalmers
  • Vincent C. Müller
  • Emily Sullivan
  • Pär Sundstrom

Contact

All questions about submissions should be directed to the Chair of the Descartes Lectures 2024 Committee, Dr Matteo Colombo m.colombo @ uvt.nl

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