Dr. Terrence W. Deacon, Professor of Biological Anthropology and Linguistics at University of California-Berkeley, was invited to Oslo in January 2015 by the Institute of Social Anthropology, University of Oslo. Reflecting his wide interests, he gave seminars and lectures both about language (in Inst. Anthropology, Jan. 7) and about evolution at the Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis, UiO (Jan. 9). On Saturday 10 January, he also presented his ideas on consciousness in a joint meeting of the Forum for Consciousness Research and The Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters, in Litteraturhuset, in a lecture covering a wide range of topics, entitled:

“On consciousness – Emergence of Life and Consciousness: How “self” can be physical and yet neither material nor energetic”

The “Amalie Skram” lecture hall in Litteraturhuset was filled to capacity with an interested audience.

Professor Øivind Andersen, Secretary General of The Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters, opened the meeting and welcomed Professor Deacon. The lecture was followed by questions from the audience and a panel discussion.