A World Appears--A Journey into Consciousness
Osher Lifelong Learning Institute

Based on Michael Pollan's book A World Appears, this course explores one of the most enduring questions in human thought: What is consciousness, and how did it arise? We will trace the historical and contemporary effort to understand subjective experience, drawing from neuroscience, philosophy, psychology, and evolutionary theory. Students will be introduced to the major thinkers shaping the field and the central debates that continue to challenge a definitive explanation of how subjective awareness emerges from matter. Through slide-illustrated lectures, guided readings, and book club-style dialogue, the course invites participants into a shared exploration of the mind's deepest mystery.