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Consciousness and Free Will: What Does Science Say?
Consciousness and free will are key philosophical and psychological issues that have been the subject of inquiry for centuries. From a scientific perspective, both consciousness and free will are often examined in the context of brain function and neurobiological processes. Research on consciousness focuses on understanding the mechanisms that allow for subjective experience of reality, while free will is studied in relation to decision-making and behavioral control.
During the lecture, I will discuss fascinating studies on consciousness and its neural correlates, as well as explore the controversies surrounding whether free will truly exists or if it is merely an illusion.
Digital Addictions: What Are They, What Are the Risks, and How Can We Prevent Them?
New technologies, such as the internet and smartphones, have become an integral part of our lives. As many as 76% of Poles use a smartphone, and 96% of households in Poland have internet access. However, with the development of technology, new challenges have emerged—an increasing number of people struggle with problematic internet use (PIU) and specific digital addictions, such as excessive gaming, compulsive social media use, pornography consumption, or smartphone addiction.
During the lecture, we will discuss what digital addictions are, how to recognize them, and why they can pose a threat. Drawing on original research conducted on children, adolescents, and a representative group of Poles (N=2122), I will examine the prevalence of these issues and their underlying causes. We will also explore ways to minimize risk and effective methods of prevention and treatment.
Does technology control us, or should we be the ones in control? Let’s try to find the answer together!
Dr. hab. med. Paweł Holas, Prof. UW – clinician, researcher, and educator. Cognitive-behavioral therapist and supervisor (CBT), mindfulness teacher (MBCT/MBSR/MSC), psychiatrist. Professor at the Faculty of Psychology at the University of Warsaw, where he heads the Department of Clinical Neuropsychology and Psychotherapy as well as the e-MPAT Lab research unit. Program director of postgraduate studies Mindfulness and Compassion: Foundations, Research, and Psychotherapy at SWPS University in Warsaw.
President of the Mindfulness Development Foundation, which conducts teacher training programs in mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) in collaboration with the Oxford Mindfulness Center (OMC). His main research interests include mindfulness and compassion, as well as the effectiveness and mechanisms of interventions based on these approaches. Additionally, he focuses on experimental clinical psychology, psychedelic therapy, behavioral addictions, psychotherapy process research, and internet-based interventions.
🔗 http://psych.uw.edu.pl/o-nas/pracownicy/holas-pawel
🔗 https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Pawel-Holas
