Challenges of Next-generation Neuroscience

Fortunately, at the same time, researchers are becoming increasingly aware of the theoretical and ethical challenges that are now emerging. Progress in the next few decades may include more than the amassing of huge piles of data: our basic picture of the brain and the complexly embedded nature of its functions may also be revised by this progress.

On this front, neuroscience can count on the support and the initiative of the humanities and social sciences. In particular, philosophers, historians, and sociologists can help neuroscientists to gain much-needed contextual perspective on their field through explorations of the following questions:

How can we better understand the present state and trajectory of neuroscience in light of its history? What are the main theoretical presuppositions of the field, and how are these changing? What values and principles guide the ethical aspects of neuroscience, including both the practice of research and the application of its findings? How does the image of the brain as a computer continue to shape the field of neuroscience, and to what extent is this image still accurate? What role can knowledge of the brain play in our understanding of personal identity? What are the main contemporary responses to the mind–brain problem, and how do these affect the work of neuroscience and its impact on society? How is the course of neuroscience affected by its perceived impact on society, as well as its high public profile and the loftiness of society’s expectations?

The main goal of this international workshop is to support interdisciplinary dialogue and reflection on the ethical, theoretical, and practical challenges faced by the next generation of neuroscience research. There can be no doubt that knowledge of the brain will play an important role in future attempts to understand human nature and address problems of human life, but there are signs that knowledge of the brain alone will fall short of expectations.

How should the next generation of neuroscientists be prepared to advance the field while recognizing its limits?

To confront this question, we bring together leaders in the field of neuroscience as well as closely related fields of science and the humanities.