Hi there, and welcome to Ideas on Consciousness! Ideas on Consciousness (IoC) is a student organization and DeCal at UC Berkeley. For all information related to IoC, check out our linktree here.

Join our DeCal!

Our Spring 2025 IoC DeCal application is now officially open! Follow the link here to apply. Classes will be from 6:00PM to 8:00PM on Wednesdays (2 Units), beginning next week!

Spots will fill up quickly so apply sooner rather than later! Find our syllabus here, and reach out to our official IoC email if you any any questions, [email protected]

Spring 2025 DeCal:

Ideas on Consciousness is a student-run DeCal that transcends traditional boundaries and invites you to embark on a profound exploration of the mind. Remember the feeling of late night, deep, thought-provoking conversations with your friends about the meaning of life? This class expands a space to unravel both psychological and philosophical perspectives of what it means to be alive. This isn't just an academic pursuit; it's a journey into the depths of consciousness. Our discussions go beyond the surface, exploring the implications of these profound ideas on tangible phenomena. From the mysterious world of dreams to the intriguing dynamics of the placebo effect and the mind-expanding realm of psychedelics, we connect the dots between theoretical concepts and real-world occurrences.

The motivation behind constructing this DeCal stems from a recognition that traditional academic coursework in neuroscience, psychology, and cognitive science often provides rigorous empirical descriptions without delving into the philosophical questions surrounding experience. "Ideas on Consciousness" seeks to fill this gap by offering a more holistic understanding and an engaging approach to these philosophical inquiries.

Join our Thought Café!

This semester we our hosting a weekly, weekend Thought Café! We are a group of neuroscientists, philosophers and physicists who meet Sunday mornings for coffee and a discussion on consciousness. Interested in joining? Join our announcements groupme by filling out this form.

Our first event will be next Sunday, February 2nd, 10:00AM at Caffe Strada! Please join the groupme above for more announcements and further information. Hope to see you there!

Food for Thought: 

Quote of the month: “It is in the shelter of each other that the people live” – Irish proverb