About
Professor Daniel Stoljar is a leading figure in the philosophy of mind and consciousness studies at the Australian National University (ANU), where he serves as Professor in the School of Philosophy within the Research School of Social Sciences (RSSS). He is also the Director of the Centre for Consciousness. His academic journey includes a BA from the University of Sydney and a PhD from MIT (1995). Stoljar has held roles such as Senior Fellow at RSSS and Assistant Professor at the University of Colorado, Boulder. He is recognized for his work on physicalism, panpsychism, and epistemological challenges in consciousness studies. His research explores the nature of consciousness, the limits of materialist explanations, and the role of introspection in understanding mental states.
Education:
- Bachelor of Arts (University of Sydney)
- Doctor of Philosophy (Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 1995)
Stoljar’s research interests span consciousness studies, philosophy of mind, physicalism, and epistemology. He has critically examined theories like Russellian monism, non-standard materialism, and panpsychism, while also addressing foundational questions about the relationship between mental states and physical processes. His work often bridges metaphysics and epistemology, particularly in analyzing the 'knowledge argument' and the role of imagination in philosophical inquiry.
Notable Contributions:
- Advocacy for the 'epistemic approach' to the hard problem of consciousness
- Contributions to debates on dualism and mental causation
- Editorial roles in volumes like *Blockheads!: Essays on Ned Block’s Philosophy of Mind and Consciousness*
Stoljar has secured significant research funding, including an Australian Research Council Future Fellowship, and leads projects like *The Language of Consciousness* and *Philosophical Progress*. His awards include Fellow of the Australian Academy of Humanities and a past presidency of the Australasian Association of Philosophy.
Lab/Team Affiliations:
- Director of the ANU Centre for Consciousness
- Collaborations with institutions globally through projects like *Coercive Control: An Issue of National and International Significance*
