Report on the Second Kyoto Kokoro Initiative International Symposium “Kokoro and Limit Situations”

The Second Kyoto Kokoro Initiative International Symposium was held at the Kyoto University Clock Tower Centennial Hall on October 17th, 2021. The Kyoto Kokoro Initiative, which is sponsored by the Inamori Foundation, had previously held six symposia since its launch in 2015: “Kokoro and History” (the first), “In and Out of Kokoro” (the second), “Kokoro and Symbiosis” (the first international symposium), “Kokoro and Ways of Life: What is the Self?” (the third), “Kokoro and the Artificial Mind” (the fourth) and “Kokoro and the Corona Crisis” (the fifth). The theme of the second Kyoto Kokoro Initiative International Symposium was “Kokoro and Limit Situations.” In light of the current global situation of the COVID-19 pandemic, various aspects of the human mind that become apparent when faced with limit situations were discussed and considered from the different perspectives of neuroscience, geography, and psychology.

After an opening address from Prof. Toshio Kawai (Director, KRC, Kyoto University), three lectures were given.

First, Prof. Yadin Dudai (Professor, Weizmann Institute of Science / Global Professor of Natural Science, New York University) gave a lecture entitled “The Traveling Homeland: How Disaster-Induced Collective Insight Had Rescued Jewish Cultural Memory from Death 2000 Years Ago” (joined online).

According to Prof. Dudai, a memory shared by a group, that is, cultural memory, passed down from generation to generation through personal memories, writings, and habituation to form a communal identity. In this lecture, the Talmud, the Jewish holy book, was taken up as a unique example. Prof. Dudai explained the process in which the memory of the communal crisis related to the loss of their homeland has escaped oblivion by making their holy book a “portable homeland” in place of the homeland they lost. At the end of the lecture, Prof. Dudai applied this mechanism of cultural memory to the current situation of the COVID-19 pandemic, and suggested that the formation of a new cultural memory, which transcends the boundaries of traditional communities, may develop in the future.

Prof. Noriko Ishiyama (Professor, School of Political Science and Economics, Meiji University) followed with the second lecture, “Stories of Intergenerational Trauma and Hope: Nuclear Development and Indigenous Peoples in the United States.”

The lecture began with an explanation of the structure of “settler colonialism” inherent in the United States. Prof. Ishiyama pointed out the reality that the existence of indigenous people is being forgotten and made invisible, while diversity is being celebrated, especially in terms of immigrants. Then, she reported her field research at the Hanford Site and Skull Valley and introduced cases of indigenous people living in a nuclear development area called the “sacrifice zone.” In the end, Prof. Ishiyama provided clues to thinking about the kokoro of indigenous people; replacing the traditional concepts of “spirituality” and “identity ” with such important views as “relationalities” and “co-becoming” (transforming together), which focus on the connections between people or between people and land.

The third lecture, “Not Everything Is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): On the Cultural Limits of a Diagnostic Concept and New Approaches,” was presented by Prof. Andreas Maercker (Professor and Chair, Department of Psychology, University of Zurich) (joined online).

Prof. Maercker presented the following view on the diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD); while an “etic” (external) approach based on a third party’s point of view has been the mainstream, an “emic” (internal) approach based on the patient’s own point of view and respecting their cultural background is important. According to him, just as the English word “trauma” itself is derived from a Latin metaphor, the traditional Eurocentric understanding would be overcome by incorporating different metaphors of “trauma” inherent in each culture. From these discussions, Prof. Maercker emphasized the importance of cultural aspects in understanding and speaking about the kokoro of humans, touching on the definition of the word “kokoro” in Japanese.

After the lectures, the three speakers joined Prof. Kawai in a discussion. As “trauma,” “homeland/terrene,” “culture” emerged as keywords linking the three lectures, they elaborated on these keywords in the context of the trauma of homeland loss in both Jewish and Indigenous American cases. At the end of the discussion, the appropriateness of terms and concepts to speak on the kokoro of a particular community or ethnic group was discussed. They concluded that there is a need today to find a concept with a pluralistic perspective by taking into account the diversity in each culture.

At the end of the symposium, Prof. Norihiro Tokitoh (Executive Vice-President for Research, Evaluation, and Industry-Government Academia Collaboration, Kyoto University) gave closing remarks. Prof. Seiji Kumagai (Associate Professor, KRC) served as the moderator of the day.

Videos of the lectures and discussion will be available soon on the KRC website.

Prof. Toshio Kawai (Director, KRC, Kyoto University)

Prof. Yadin Dudai (Weizmann Institute of Science / New York University) and Prof. Andreas Maercker (University of Zurich)

Prof. Noriko Ishiyama (Professor, School of Political Science and Economics, Meiji University)

Norihiro Tokitoh (Executive Vice-President, Kyoto University)

Prof. Seiji Kumagai (Associate Professor, KRC)

The Second Kyoto Kokoro Initiative International Symposium “Kokoro and Limit Situations”

The Second Kyoto Kokoro Initiative International Symposium “Kokoro and Limit Situations”

Launched in April 2015, the Kyoto Kokoro Initiative aims to explore our kokoro－ our mind, spirit or heart in Japanese－, which has been compelled to change by scientific and technological advances and the globalization of the economy. Considering the broad and profound nuances of the Japanese word kokoro, we, at the Kyoto Kokoro Initiative, would like to propose a new perspective for our mind and spirit toward the global community. This year, we chose ≪Kokoro and Limit Situations≫ as our theme, based on the idea that our mind cannot be fully explored in normal and daily circumstances, but only shows its true nature when facing extreme situations. We hope this symposium will bring new insight into the COVID-19 pandemic, an actual case of a limit situation.

▽Date and Time: October 17 (Sunday), 2021 13:30 – 17:40 (doors open at 13:00)
▽Location: Kyoto University Clock Tower Centennial Hall (Yoshida Honmachi, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto)
http://www.kyoto-u.ac.jp/ja/access/campus/yoshida/map6r_y/
▽Eligibility: Researchers and students
▽Language: English (no interpretation in Japanese)
*A video with Japanese subtitles will be made available on “Kyoto University OpenCourseWare (Kyoto University OCW)” at a later time.
▽Capacity: 250 (registration required, applications accepted on a first-come, first-served basis)
▽Fee: Free of charge

Program:
13:30～13:40　Opening Remarks
　　　　　　　　Toshio Kawai (Director, Kokoro Research Center, Kyoto University)
13:40～14:30　Lecture 1 “The Travelling Homeland: How Disaster-Induced Collective Insight Had Rescued Jewish Cultural Memory from Death 2000 Years Ago”
　　　　　　　　Yadin Dudai (Professor, Weizmann Institute of Science / Global Professor of Natural Science, New York University)
14:30～15:20　Lecture 2 “Stories of Intergenerational Trauma and Hope: Nuclear Development and Indigenous Peoples in the United States”
　　　　　　　　Noriko Ishiyama (Professor, School of Political Science and Economics, Meiji University)
15:20～15:40　Break
15:40～16:30　Lecture 3 “Not Everything Is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): On the Cultural Limits of a Diagnostic Concept and New Approaches”
　　　　　　　　Andreas Maercker (Professor and Chair, Department of Psychology, University of Zurich)

16:30～17:30　Panel Discussion
　　　　　　　　Yadin Dudai, Norihito Ishiyama, Andreas Maercker, Toshio Kawai
17:30～17:40　Closing Remarks
　　　　　　　　Norihito Tokitoh (Executive Vice-President for Research, Evaluation, and Industry-Government-Academia Collaboration, Kyoto University)

Regarding the participation of Professors Yadin Dudai and Andreas Maercker, we would like to inform you that, unfortunately, due to the prevailing situation of the COVID-19, they will not be able to come to Japan and will thus participate online.

Application:
Please apply using the online form at the URL below.
https://forms.gle/aDFVgvALhvaWk9oF9
Application period: Until October 10, 2021 (Sunday) (First-come-first-served basis)

Inquiry:
Liaison Office, Kokoro Research Center, Kyoto University (9:00-17:00, weekdays)

E-mail：kokoro-sympo＊mail2.adm.kyoto-u.ac.jp (Please replace * with @)

URL：http://kokoro.kyoto-u.ac.jp

Organized by: Kokoro Research Center, Kyoto University
Co-organized by: Unit of Kyoto Initiatives for the Humanities and Social Sciences, Kyoto University
Supported by: Inamori Foundation

Information on countermeasures against COVID-19 infections:
・In accordance with government guidelines, capacity is set at 50% or less of the hall’s full
・The venue is equipped with ventilation fans, which will run constantly. In addition, the doors of the venue will be opened as necessary for ventilation.
・The event may be postponed, or the content may be changed in light of the spread of COVID-19
・Your name and contact information will be used only for the purpose of contacting you regarding this event and for infection prevention measures.

Report on the Fifth Kyoto Kokoro Initiative Symposium, “Kokoro and the Corona Crisis”

The Fifth Kyoto Kokoro Initiative Symposium, “Kokoro and the Corona Crisis,” was held online on February 21st, 2021. The Kyoto Kokoro Initiative, which is sponsored by the Inamori Foundation, had previously held five symposia since its launch in 2015: “Kokoro and History” (the first), “In and Out of Kokoro” (the second), “Kokoro and Symbiosis” (the first international symposium), “Kokoro and Ways of Life: What is the Self?” (the third) and “Kokoro and the Artificial Mind” (the fourth).

Although the second international symposium, which had originally been planned for fall 2020, was postponed by a year due to the spread of COVID-19, the board decided to organize the fifth symposium under the theme “Kokoro and the Corona Crisis” with an aim to address issues concerning kokoro (meaning “mind”, “soul” or “psyche” in Japanese) during the Corona pandemic. Speakers at the symposium questioned what impact and meaning the pandemic has had on the human mind from the viewpoints of medicine, Buddhist studies and psychology.

Three lectures took place following an opening address from Prof. Toshio Kawai (Director, KRC, Kyoto University).

Toshio Kawai (Director, KRC, Kyoto University)

The first lecture was given by Prof. Taro Yamamoto (Professor, Nagasaki University), entitled “A Sketch for the ‘With-Corona’ Era.” In the lecture, Prof. Yamamoto first explained that it is unfeasible to eradicate Covid-19 and thus important to consider ways of living with the virus while preventing the healthcare system and social infrastructure from collapsing. He then proposed the significance of thinking “in the shoes of a virus;” as viruses depend on hosts to parasitize, viruses and humans must essentially coexist. Lastly, Prof. Yamamoto showed how previous pandemics, such as the medieval plague, helped accelerate social changes, and he concluded that addressing various issues faced by modern society – the advancement of technology, international cooperation, the population problem, the environmental issues, among others – will play a key role in envisioning a society in the “with-Corona” era.

Taro Yamamoto (Professor, Nagasaki University)

Prof. Seiji Kumagai (Associate Professor, KRC, Kyoto University) followed with the second lecture, “Rethinking the Corona Crisis in Light of Buddhist Ideas on Kokoro.” Using the Buddhist concepts of “hetu” and “pratyaya”, Prof. Kumagai first explained that while a biological crisis is caused by COVID-19 being “hetu” (direct cause), mental, social, financial, and physical crises, as well as those met by the socially vulnerable that emerged during the pandemic, are induced by COVID-19 embodying” pratyaya” (indirect cause). Therefore, these issues are less concerned with the eradication of the virus than with the problems of our mind. Prof. Kumagai then introduced the historical account of Eison and Ninshō, the Japanese Shingon Risshu priests who helped leprosy patients during the Kamakura period, and suggested that Buddhist ideas can teach us ways to accept the vulnerability of both ourselves and others, and therefore live better through the pandemic.

Seiji Kumagai (Associate Professor, KRC, Kyoto University)

The third lecture, “The Corona Crisis and Psychotherapy,” was presented by Prof. Yasuhiro Tanaka (Professor, Graduate School of Education, Kyoto University). Prof. Tanaka first explained that after the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011, psychotherapy sessions more often involved cases in which the disaster triggered vulnerability, which had already existed within the individuals and families, to emerge as problems, rather than sessions in which the disaster itself became the source of trauma. Similarly, during the coronavirus crisis, patients often “make use” of the pandemic. Following on this, Prof. Tanaka observed that the pandemic is accelerating the shifts in the zeitgeist that had already been occurring before the outbreak, such as the permeation of online therapy and the increasing avoidance of in-person communications among university students. Lastly, after describing that the Japanese mind values “oneness,” such as eclecticism and syncretism, Prof. Tanaka pointed out that while the Japanese are often forbearing of pending situations, they are also prone to indecisiveness. In conclusion, he suggested that the important role of therapists during the pandemic is to support patients in making individual decisions.

Yasuhiro Tanaka (Professor, Kyoto University)

After the lectures, the three speakers joined Prof. Kawai in a discussion. As “coexistence” emerged as a keyword linking the three lectures, they discussed the ways in which humans can live together with the virus and nature. Various opinions were also expressed over the “new proximity” brought forth by the pandemic and its issues.

General Discussion

At the end of the symposium, Prof. Norihiro Tokitoh (Executive Vice-President for Research, Evaluation, and Industry-Government Academia Collaboration, Kyoto University) gave closing remarks. Prof. Yukiko Uchida (Professor, KRC) served as the emcee of the day, and 344 viewers participated in the event in total.

Videos of the lectures and discussion will be available soon on the KRC website and Kyoto-U Open Course Ware (Japanese version only).

Norihiro Tokitoh (Executive Vice-President, Kyoto University)

Yukiko Uchida (Professor, KRC)

Flyer

[DATA]
Date and Times: February 21^st (Sunday) 13:30 – 17:40 (held online)
Intended audience: Researchers, students, and the general public
Attendee: 344

[Program]
13:30 – 13:40 Opening remarks Toshio Kawai (Director, Kokoro Research Center, Kyoto University)
13:40 – 14:30 Lecture 1 “A Sketch for the ‘With-Corona’ Era” Taro Yamamoto (Professor, Nagasaki University)
14:30 – 15:20 Lecture 2 “Rethinking the Corona Crisis in Light of Buddhist Ideas on Kokoro” Seiji Kumagai (Associate Professor, KRC, Kyoto University)
15:20 – 15:30 Break
15:30 – 16:20 Lecture 3 “The Corona Crisis and Psychotherapy” Yasuhiro Tanaka (Professor, Kyoto University)
16:20 –16:30 Break
16:30 – 17:30 General Discussion Taro Yamamoto, Seiji Kumagai, Yasuhiro Tanaka, Toshio Kawai
17:30 – 17:40 Closing remarks Norihiro Tokitoh (Executive Vice-President for Research, Evaluation, and Industry-Government Academia Collaboration, Kyoto University)

Hosted by Kokoro Research Center, Kyoto University
Sponsored by The Inamori Foundation
Co-hosted by Unit of Kyoto Initiatives for the Humanities and Social Sciences

Report on the Fourth Kyoto Kokoro Initiative Symposium, “Kokoro and Artificial Mind”

The Fourth Kyoto Kokoro Initiative Symposium, “Kokoro and Artificial Mind” was held at the Kyoto University Clock Tower Centennial Hall on October 14^th, 2019. The Kyoto Kokoro Initiative, which was launched in 2015 and is sponsored by the Inamori Foundation, has held four symposia: “Kokoro and History” (the first), “In and Out of Kokoro” (the second), “Kokoro and Symbiosis” (the first international symposium) and “Kokoro and Ways of Life: What is the Self?” (the third).

The theme of the fourth Kyoto Kokoro Initiative Symposium was “Kokoro and Artificial Mind.”

The past four themes generally intended to capture kokoro within the framework of the humanities and social sciences. On the other hand, this symposium reexamined kokoro in the progress of natural science and technology. Three researchers, who have contributed to the understanding and development of artificial intelligence or deep learning, compared artificial intelligence with human minds and attempted to examine the relationship between human beings and technology in the future, from varying perspectives.

After an opening address from Prof. Toshio Kawai (Director, KRC, Kyoto University), three lectures began.

First, Prof. Toru Nishigaki (Professor Emeritus, The University of Tokyo) gave a lecture entitled “The Future of Kokoro in the AI Era.” Considering the question, “Can a machine have a kokoro?,” he argued the polysemic and multifaceted nature of mind that human beings and other living things have, focusing particularly on the ethical issues.

According to Prof. Nishigaki, living things are unpredictable and autonomous because they have a self-creating system that creates a world of meaning by themselves. On the other hand, the autonomy that AI robots appear to have acquired is only a pseudo-result of their complexity.

He suggested that AI robots, unlike human beings who have biological autonomy, cannot be responsible for their own decisions. He gave three examples in support of his argument: autonomous driving, a surveillance-screening society, and the creation of artistic work by AI. Based on these examples, he expressed his view that when applying artificial intelligence to the actual world, it is necessary to recognize its limitations and risks, and to consider and utilize its future potential.

Next, Prof. Tetsuya Ogata (Professor, Waseda University, Joint Appointed Fellows, Artificial Intelligence Research Center) gave a lecture entitled “Sensory-motor Learning by Deep Neural Networks: From the Viewpoint of Cognitive Developmental Robotics.”

In the lecture, he first explained the mechanism of deep learning, an inductive artificial intelligence that learns large amounts of data, as opposed to conventional deductive artificial intelligence. He also showed examples of deep learning robots, such as robots that can fold towels, plate salads and measure liquids, etc. What makes these robots unique is that through deep learning of vast amounts of data, they can cope with situations that they have not actually learned. However, Prof. Ogata pointed out that deep learning is a black box in which the mechanisms enabling these functions can be understood only retrospectively. He also expressed the view that in future development, it is necessary to utilize deep learning with an understanding that it is a technology which contains unpredictability.

In the third lecture, Prof. Makoto Nagao (Professor Emeritus, Kyoto University) gave a lecture entitled “Building a Model of Kokoro.” He proposed a model of the human brain that is divided into three categories: intellectual function, mental function, and spiritual function. Based on this model, he examined the question of whether a machine can have a human mind. According to Prof. Nagao, the mental function is complex and therefore the most difficult for programming, because it has diverse functions such as mental processes, sensitivity, feeling and emotion. After exploring the interrelationships between the different functions and ways to program consciousness, he expressed his view that it would be possible to program a mind on a computer to some extent. Today’s development of technologies including deep learning enables programs to collect a large number of case data that show reactions associated with states of human mind, which can then be compiled into a database. He also suggested that if we could gather all the information about human intelligence or mental function etc., and infer all the possibilities that could happen or exist, we would thus have to rethink concepts such as “free will,” as they have been thought to define human beings.

After the three lectures, Prof. Hiroshi Yoshioka (Professor, KRC) and Prof. Kawai participated in general discussion with the three lecturers. During the discussion, various opinions were expressed on the theme of “Kokoro and Artificial Mind.” In particular, there was a lively discussion about the possibility of artistic creation using artificial intelligence. They expressed their own views on the various conditions that would allow artificial intelligence to be used in artistic creation, for example, the challenge of creating metaphors with artificial intelligence, or a machine’s substitutability for human perspectives which evaluate artistic works.

In the end, Prof. Nagahiro Minato (Provost and Executive Vice President, Kyoto University) gave closing remarks. Specialized in medicine, he first explained how a new epidemiology was born in the history of medicine, based on the accumulation of facts rather than on the argumentation of “logic.” According to Prof. Minato, in the medical field, deep learning that makes decisions based on data collection and the use of big data are widespread today. Thus, there is a serious need to address the question “How can we get along well with AI?”

Prof. Yoshinori Hiroi (Professor, KRC) served as the moderator of the day and there were 260 participants.

The videos of lectures and discussion will be released on the web in the near future (Japanese version only).

(Reported by Mori Nakatani, Program-Specific Research Fellow)

Venue

Toshio Kawai (Director, Kokoro Research Center, Kyoto University)

Prof. Toru Nishigaki (Professor Emeritus, The University of Tokyo)

Prof. Tetsuya Ogata (Professor, Waseda University)

Prof. Makoto Nagao (Professor Emeritus, Kyoto University)

General Discussion

Hiroshi Yoshioka (Program-Specific Professor, Kokoro Research Center, Kyoto University)

Yoshinori Hiroi (Vice Director, Kokoro Research Center, Kyoto University)

Nagahiro Minato (Provost, Kyoto University)

[Flyer]

[DATA]
Date and Times: October 14, 2019 (Monday, national holiday) 13:30 – 17:40 (Registration begins at 13:00.)
Venue: Kyoto University Clock Tower Centennial Hall

[Program]
13:30 – 13:40　Opening remarks　Toshio Kawai (Director, Kokoro Research Center, Kyoto University)
13:40 – 14:30　Lecture 1 “The Future of Kokoro in the AI Era”　Toru Nishigaki (Professor Emeritus, The University of Tokyo)
14:30 – 15:20　Lecture 2 “Sensory-motor Learning by Deep Neural Networks: From the Viewpoint of Cognitive Developmental Robotics”　Tetsuya Ogata (Professor, Waseda University, Joint Appointed Fellows, Artificial Intelligence Research Center)
15:20 – 15:40　Break
15:40 – 16:30　Lecture 3 “Building a Model of Kokoro.”　Makoto Nagao (Professor Emeritus, Kyoto University)
16:30 – 17:30　General Discussion　Toru Nishigaki, Tetsuya Ogata, Makoto Nagao, Toshio Kawai, Hiroshi Yoshioka
17:30 – 17:40　Closing remarks　Nagahiro Minato (Provost, Kyoto University)

Hosted by Kokoro Research Center, Kyoto University
Sponsored by The Inamori Foundation

The Fourth Kyoto Kokoro Initiative Symposium, “Kokoro and Artificial Mind”, will be held October 14, 2019

The fourth Kyoto Kokoro Initiative Symposium, “Kokoro and Artificial Mind”, will be held October 14, 2019

The Kyoto Kokoro Initiative, which was launched in April 2015, aims to explore the concept of kokoro and its various connotations. The goal of this research is to orient our hearts and minds to modern society, which has grown increasingly complex and changeable due to advances in science and technology and the globalization of the economy. Taking into consideration the wide and deep nuances of the Japanese word kokoro, we at the Kyoto Kokoro Initiative would like to propose a new perspective for kokoro towards the world.

At previous years’ symposia, we have examined kokoro’s traditional way of being from the perspectives of “Historicity,” “In and Out,” “Symbiosis,” “Self.” This year’s symposium is entitled, “Kokoro and the Artificial Mind,” and aims to rethink kokoro as natural science and technology evolve. We will examine the extent to which recent advances in artificial intelligence and deep learning can help us examine the human mind and the relation of kokoro to this perspective.

The program can be viewed at the link below (only in Japanese):

http://kokoro.kyoto-u.ac.jp/kokorosympo_4_20191014/

Event Information

Date and Times: October 14, 2019 (Monday, national holiday) 13:30 – 17:40 (Registration begins at 13:00.)

Venue: Kyoto University Clock Tower Centennial Hall

Seats: 500

Fee: Free

Application: Please apply via e-mail or fax by October 6 (Sun), with “Application for the fourth Kyoto Kokoro Initiative Symposium” in the subject line. In the email, please provide the following information:

Your name
Your occupation (or affiliation)
Your e-mail address

We will contact you only if the number of applications has exceeded capacity and no more seats are available.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the Kokoro Research Center office (9:00-16:00, weekdays)

E-mail : kokoro-sympo*mail2.adm.kyoto-u.ac.jp (Please replace * with @)

FAX : 075-753-9680

URL : http://kokoro.kyoto-u.ac.jp/en/index.html

Hosted by Kokoro Research Center, Kyoto University

Report on the Third Kyoto Kokoro Initiative Symposium, “Kokoro and Ways of Life: What is the Self?”

The Third Kyoto Kokoro Initiative Symposium, “Kokoro and Ways of Life: What is the Self?” was held at the Kyoto University International Science Innovation Building on November 18, 2018. The Kyoto Kokoro Initiative, which was launched in 2015 and is sponsored by the Inamori Foundation, has held three symposia: “Kokoro and History” (the first), “In and Out of Kokoro” (the second), “Kokoro and Symbiosis” (an international symposium).

Whereas previous years’ symposia focused on the expansiveness of kokoro, this year’s symposium focused on the inner nature and uniqueness of kokoro. The lecturers discussed kokoro’s connection to society and groups, and included discussions of findings from the natural science. Three lectures followed Prof. Toshio Kawai’s opening remarks. Prof. Miho Murayama (Director, Wildlife Research Center, Kyoto University) gave the first lecture entitled, “Molecular Bases of the Mind for Living in Society”. Variables such as the environment and genes affect on animal behaviors and personalities. She introduced her comparative research, which uses genetic analysis to compare species and individuals. During the lecture, Prof. Murayama discussed her findings regarding how genes relate to animals’ various personality traits and behaviors such as sensitivity, degree of curiosity, aggressiveness and contentment. She suggested The possible new milestones for genes to help us understand animal social behavior. She proposed that investigating the relationship between individual behaviors and genes may benefit animal breeding and raising management, by helping in the selection and training of drug detection dogs. Assoc. Prof. Yukiko Uchida (Kokoro Research Center, Kyoto University) gave a lecture entitled “The ways of life and the self in Japanese society: An examination of biological and psychological data of Japanese company employees”. She discussed how “cooperativeness” and “independence” comprise self awareness in Japan and how they influence one’s health and happiness. According to surveys of Japanese businesses, the comparative community research findings showed that “independence” helped increase the subjective sense of wellbeing, and thus non-conforming decision-making and fair competition were important. On the other hand, “cooperativeness” affected health, thus “cooperativeness” has a certain meaning in the Japanese society as an infrastructure. Prof. Yasuo Deguchi (Kyoto University Graduate School of Letters) gave the final lecture entitled, “the Self as We and its implications for our ways of life”. He proposed that holistic self that is found in East Asia is “the Self as We” as opposed to the individualistic self of modern Western modern society. In “the Self as We”, a social system as a whole is considered “Self” in which “I” is part of the “Self as We”. Moving toward “the Self as We” can change our ethical responsibilities and the isolation that “I” hold, and can also revise social systems and diversify our ways of living. In the general discussion, moderated by Prof. Kawai, the meaning of cooperative behaviors by humans and animals, relationships between oneself one’s body and ways of Japanese communal society were discussed beyond the participants’ areas of expertise. In his closing remarks, the Provost Nagahiro Minato (Executive Vice President, Kyoto University) discussed the self and physicality from the perspective of immunology, which is his area of expertise. He proposed that it is important to recall the previous symposia and to plan a future for Humanities at Kyoto University. Prof. Hiroshi Yoshioka moderated the symposium and two hundred people were in attendance.

Prof. Toshio Kawai, Center Director

Prof. Miho Murayama, Director, Wildlife Research Center

Assoc. Prof. Yukiko Uchida

Prof. Yasuo Deguchi

The Symposium

Prof. Hiroshi Yoshioka

The General Discussion

Provost Nagahiro Minato

Event Information

Date and Times: November 18, 2018 (Sun.) 13:30 – 17:40 (Reception begins at 13:00.)
Venue: Symposium Hall, the 5th floor of International Science Innovation Building, Kyoto University
Seats: 270
Fee: Free
Application: Please apply via e-mail or fax by November 11, 2018 (Sun), with the subject line “Application for the third Kyoto Kokoro Initiative Symposium.” In the email, please provide the following information:
1. Your name
2. Your occupation (or affiliation)
3. Your e-mail address

Program:
13:30 – 13:40　Opening remarks Toshio Kawai (Director, Kokoro Research Center, Kyoto University)
13:40 – 14:30　Lecture 1 “Molecular Bases of the Mind for Living in Society” Miho Murayama (Director, Wildlife Research Center, Kyoto University)
14:30 – 15:20　Lecture 2 “The Ways of Life and the Self in Japanese Society: An Examination of Biological/Psychological Data from Japanese Company Employees” Yukiko Uchida (Associate Professor, Kokoro Research Center, Kyoto University)
15:20 – 15:40　Break
15:40 – 16:30　Lecture 3 “The Self as We and Its Implications for Our Ways of Life” Yasuo Deguchi (Professor, Kyoto University Graduate School of Letters)
16:30 – 17:30　General Discussion Miho Murayama, Yukiko Uchida, Yasuo Deguchi, Toshio Kawai
17:30 – 17:40　Closing remarks Nagahiro Minato (Provost and Executive Vice President, Kyoto University)
Hosted by Kokoro Research Center, Kyoto University
Sponsored by The Inamori Foundation

The Third Kyoto Kokoro Initiative Symposium “Kokoro and Ways of Life: What is the Self?”

The Third Kyoto Kokoro Initiative Symposium “Kokoro and Ways of Life: What is the Self?”
The Kyoto Kokoro Initiative, which was launched in April 2015 aims to explore the concept of kokoro and its various connotations. This research is conducted in an effort to orient our hearts and minds to modern times, which have grown increasingly complex and changeable due to advances in science and technology and the globalization of the economy. Taking into consideration the wide and deep nuances of the Japanese word kokoro, we at the Kyoto Kokoro Initiative would like to propose a new perspective for kokoro towards the world. Previous years’ symposia – “Kokoro and History,” “In and Out of Kokoro” and “Kokoro and Symbiosis” – focused on the spread of kokoro. This year’s symposium is entitled, “Kokoro and Ways of Life: What is the Self?” and will examine the interiority and uniqueness of kokoro, will also discuss “the Self” (the central concept of the Kyoto School), and kokoro via views from the humanities and social sciences of Kyoto University, in collaboration with findings from natural science.

Date and Times: November 18, 2018 (Sun.) 13:30 – 17:40 (Reception begins at 13:00.)
Venue: Symposium Hall, the 5th floor of International Science Innovation Building, Kyoto University
Seats: 270
Fee: Free
Application: Please apply via e-mail or fax by November 11, 2018 (Sun), with the subject line “Application for the third Kyoto Kokoro Initiative Symposium.” In the email, please provide the following information:
1. Your name
2. Your occupation (or affiliation)
3. Your e-mail address
We will contact you only if the number of applications had exceeded capacity and no more seats are available. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the office of Kokoro Research Center, Kyoto University (9:00-16:00, weekdays)
E-mail : kokoro-sympo*mail2.adm.kyoto-u.ac.jp (Please replace * with @)
FAX : 075-753-9680 URL : http://kokoro.kyoto-u.ac.jp/en/index.html Access
※NO.69：International Science Innovation Building
Program:
13:30 – 13:40　Opening remarks Toshio Kawai (Director, Kokoro Research Center, Kyoto University)
13:40 – 14:30　Lecture 1 “Molecular Bases of the Mind for Living in Society” Miho Murayama (Director, Wildlife Research Center, Kyoto University)
14:30 – 15:20　Lecture 2 “The Ways of Life and the Self in Japanese Society: An Examination of Biological/Psychological Data from Japanese Company Employees” Yukiko Uchida (Associate Professor, Kokoro Research Center, Kyoto University)
15:20 – 15:40　Break
15:40 – 16:30　Lecture 3 “The Self as We and Its Implications for Our Ways of Life” Yasuo Deguchi (Professor, Kyoto University Graduate School of Letters)
16:30 – 17:30　General Discussion Miho Murayama, Yukiko Uchida, Yasuo Deguchi, Toshio Kawai
17:30 – 17:40　Closing remarks Nagahiro Minato (Provost and Executive Vice President, Kyoto University)
Hosted by Kokoro Research Center, Kyoto University
Sponsored by The Inamori Foundation

Report on the First Kyoto Kokoro Initiative International Symposium: "Kokoro and Symbiosis"

The first Kyoto Kokoro Initiative International Symposium, entitled “Kokoro and Symbiosis”, was held at the Kyoto University Clock Tower Centennial Hall on September 18, 2017. The Kyoto Kokoro Initiative, which is sponsored by the Inamori Foundation was launched in 2015. Continuing from the previous two national symposiums, this was the third annual symposium (and the first international symposium) on kokoro that has been held. Nearly 300 people from Japan and overseas were in attendance. The Kokoro Research Center’s Director, Prof. Sakiko Yoshikawa gave the opening remarks, which was followed by Prof. Shihui Han’s (Peking University) lecture about his research on the neural processes of empathy for pain. He discussed whether empathic neural responses of the pain matrix are modulated by racial in-group/out-group relationships, and how this can be influenced by education and experience. Prof. Joseph Cambray (Pacifica Graduate Institute) discussed psychological symbiosis with regards to the acausal logic of “synchronicity”, which can be understood through the lens of complexity theory in modern science. Prof. Tesshu Shaku (Soai University) spoke about the symbiosis of religious beliefs and advocated “following one’s own path of faith on one hand, and nurturing attitudes of inexhaustible inter-religious dialogue on the other hand”. Prof. Yoshinori Hiroi lectured on “Sustainable Society, Sustainable Mind” with an emphasis on global ethics in an era of the “steady state”. Prof. Toshio Kawai moderated the discussions among the participating lecturers. Kyoto University’s Executive Vice-President, Nagahiro Minato gave the closing remarks, in which he expressed his great expectations for the Kyoto Kokoro Initiative and Kyoto University’s research in the fields of Humanities and Social Sciences. Dr. Yukiko Uchida moderated the symposium.
170918 hall1.png 170918 Yoshikawa2.png 170918 ShihuiHan3.png 170918 Cambray4.png 170918 Shaku5.png 170918 hiroi6.png 170918 kawai 7.png 170918 discussion8.png 170918 uchida10.png

The First Kyoto Kokoro Initiative International Symposium: “Kokoro and Symbiosis”

The First Kyoto Kokoro Initiative International Symposium: “Kokoro and Symbiosis” In April 2015, the “Kyoto Kokoro Initiative” launched a project to investigate the complex issues that advances in science, technology and the global economy pose for kokoro, the human mind and spirit. This project seeks to bring international awareness to the research we have done to gain new understandings of the multidimensional word kokoro. This marks the third year that a symposium on kokoro has been held. Continuing from the previous two national symposiums, the theme of this year’s international symposium is “Kokoro and Symbiosis”. The theme reflects the modern age we live in, emphasizing the nuanced word “kokoro”. What kind of “kokoro” enables a symbiotic relationship with other people, the Earth, and the universe? This theme will be explored from the various perspectives of cognitive science, clinical psychology, Buddhist studies and public policy studies.

Date and Time: September 18, 2017 13:00 – 18:00
Location: Kyoto University Clock Tower Centennial Hall
Fee: Free of charge Registration required (see below for details)
Language: Japanese and English. Simultaneous interpretation will be given for lectures and discussions.
Program:
13:00 – 13:10 Opening Remarks Sakiko Yoshikawa (Director, Kokoro Research Center, Kyoto University)
13:10 – 14:00 Lecture 1 “Cognitive / Affective and Neural Obstacles to Human Symbiosis” Shihui Han (Professor, School of Psychological and Cognitive Sciences, Peking University)
14:00 – 14:50 Lecture 2 “Synchronistic Phenomena and Psychological Symbiosis” Joseph Cambray (Provost and Acting President, Pacifica Graduate Institute)
14:50 – 15:05 Break
15:05 – 15:55 Lecture 3 “The Symbiosis of Religious Beliefs” Tesshu Shaku (Professor, Faculty of Humanities, Soai University)
15:55 – 16:45 Lecture 4 “The Sustainable Society, Sustainable Mind” Yoshinori Hiroi (Professor, Kokoro Research Center, Kyoto Univerisity)
16:45 – 17:00 Break
17:00 – 17:50 General Discussion Shihui Han, Joseph Cambray, Tesshu Shaku, Yoshinori Hiroi, Toshio Kawai (Professor, Kokoro Research Center, Kyoto University)
17:50 – 18:00 Closing Remarks Nagahiro Minato (Executive Vice-President, Kyoto University) Hosted by Kyoto University’s Kokoro Research Center Sponsored by The Inamori Foundation
Registration Required: Email or fax the following information to the Kokoro Research Center Liaison Office
: Your name, affiliation, email address/phone number. In the subject line, please write “The First Kyoto Kokoro Initiative International Symposium Application”
E-mail: kokoro-sympo*mail2.adm.kyoto-u.ac.jp (replace * with @)
FAX:075-753- 9680
URL: http://kokoro.kyoto-u.ac.jp/en/index.html

The First Kyoto Kokoro Initiative International Symposium: “Kokoro and Symbiosis”

The First Kyoto Kokoro Initiative International Symposium: “Kokoro and Symbiosis”

In April 2015, the “Kyoto Kokoro Initiative” launched a project to investigate the complex issues that advances in science, technology and the global economy pose for kokoro, the human mind and spirit. This project seeks to bring international awareness to the research we have done to gain new understandings of the multidimensional word kokoro. This marks the third year that a symposium on kokoro has been held. Continuing from the previous two national symposiums, the theme of this year’s international symposium is “Kokoro and Symbiosis”. The theme reflects the modern age we live in, emphasizing the nuanced word “kokoro”. What kind of “kokoro” enables a symbiotic relationship with other people, the Earth, and the universe? This theme will be explored from the various perspectives of cognitive science, clinical psychology, Buddhist studies and public policy studies.

Date and Time: September 18, 2017 13:00 – 18:00
Location: Kyoto University Clock Tower Centennial Hall
Fee: Free of charge
Registration required (see below for details) Language: Japanese and English. Simultaneous interpretation will be given for lectures and discussions.
Program:
13:00 – 13:10 Opening Remarks Sakiko Yoshikawa (Director, Kokoro Research Center, Kyoto University)
13:10 – 14:00 Lecture 1 “Cognitive / Affective and Neural Obstacles to Human Symbiosis” Shihui Han (Professor, School of Psychological and Cognitive Sciences, Peking University)
14:00 – 14:50 Lecture 2 “Synchronistic Phenomena and Psychological Symbiosis” Joseph Cambray (Provost and Acting President, Pacifica Graduate Institute)
14:50 – 15:05 Break
15:05 – 15:55 Lecture 3 “The Symbiosis of Religious Beliefs” Tesshu Shaku (Professor, Faculty of Humanities, Soai University)
15:55 – 16:45 Lecture 4 “The Sustainable Society, Sustainable Mind” Yoshinori Hiroi (Professor, Kokoro Research Center, Kyoto Univerisity)
16:45 – 17:00 Break
17:00 – 17:50 General Discussion Shihui Han, Joseph Cambray, Tesshu Shaku, Yoshinori Hiroi, Toshio Kawai (Professor, Kokoro Research Center, Kyoto University)
17:50 – 18:00 Closing Remarks Nagahiro Minato (Executive Vice-President, Kyoto University)
Hosted by Kyoto University’s Kokoro Research Center
Sponsored by The Inamori Foundation
Registration Required: Email or fax the following information to the Kokoro Research Center Liaison Office:
Your name, affiliation, email address/phone number. In the subject line, please write “The First Kyoto Kokoro Initiative International Symposium Application”
E-mail: kokoro-sympo*mail2.adm.kyoto-u.ac.jp (replace * with @)
FAX:075-753- 9680

The Second Kyoto Kokoro Initiative Symposium "In and Out of Kokoro" was Held on Oct. 10, 2016

The Second Kyoto Kokoro Initiative Symposium entitled “In and Out of Kokoro” was held in Kyoto University Shiran Kaikan, Inamori Hall, on October 10, 2016, where more than 200 participants attended. The theme of the second symposium was set based on the discussion in the symposium in last year entitled “Kokoro and History”.
First, Sakiko Yoshikawa (Director, Kokoro Research Center, Kyoto University) introduced the background of the launch of the Kyoto Kokoro Initiative and the efforts in the last 10 years, and mentioned the future prospects; the center would discuss kokoro not only from a scientific point of view but also from various angles, for example, society, nature, culture, in order to deepen our awareness about kokoro.
Next, Toshio Kawai (Professor, Kokoro Research Center, Kyoto University) reported four Kyoto Kokoro Initiative Workshops held under the same theme “In and Out of Kokoro” in 2016.
The First Workshop: Takashi Ikegami (Complex systems, Artificial life) “Artificial Mind and Reality Brain: Self-Organization, Algorithm, and Massive Data Flow” The Second Workshop: Harald Atmanspacher (Theoretical physics) “The Status of the Mind in Dual-Aspect Monism” The Third Workshop: Shinichi Nakazawa (Anthropology) “About the Dharmic World of the Mutual Interpenetration of Principle and Phenomena” The Fourth Workshop: Yasuhiro Tanaka (Clinical Psychology) “Japanese Landscape and the Subject – On the Old and New State of Consciousness”
Thus, four workshops widely crossed over the fields. Seeing them in terms of the theme “In and Out of Kokoro,” common points of this discussion seemed to be found. Namely, the moment when we feel kokoro as real would exist in a crack or a split appeared in between the opposites, as shown in the keywords “messiness,” “collapse and recovery of totality,” “accident,” “gap between perception and consciousness,” “union of subject and object,” “identity of depth and spread” and so on.
Following the report of the workshops, Norio Akasaka (Professor, Faculty of Letters, Gakushuin University) gave a lecture entitled “From Nomadic Life to Sedentary Life: Did Changes of Kokoro Happen Then?” From the viewpoint of his specialized field, folklore studies, he showed the existence of “the society in which one cannot escape” in the background of avoidance of “escape” that we unconsciously have. Such society was brought by the drastic reform “from nomadic life to sedentary life” occurred 10,000 years ago as a survival strategy. Then, he proposed a necessity to design a new “society in which one can escape,” where both separation and gathering are allowed.
After the break, Takashi Ikegami (Professor, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo) and Juichi Yamagiwa (President, Kyoto University) participated in the discussion with Akasaka and Kawai. Their exchange of opinions in regard to escape and freedom, and to grasping kokoro from the temporal perspective going back to prehistoric times was very exciting.
In the end, Prof. Nagahiro Minato (Executive Vice-President, Kyoto University) gave the closing remarks. He said that Kyoto University expected the discussion on kokoro in the Kyoto Kokoro Initiative would be able to bring out the disseminating power that can influence on peoples’ way of behavior and the mode of society. The second symposium became a place for active exchange of opinions. Associate Professor Yukiko Uchida served as the moderator of the day. The videos of report of workshops, lecture and speeches are released on web (Japanese version only)

＜Reported by Kotaro Umemura＞

[Photos from the Symposium ]

Prof. Norio Akasaka / Prof. Sakiko Yoshikawa (First Center Director)

Prof. Toshio Kawai / Prof. Takashi Ikegami

Prof. Juichi Yamagiwa (President, Kyoto University) / General Discussion

Prof. Nagahiro Minato (Executive Vice-President, Kyoto University) / Dr. Yukiko Uchida

[Event Poster]

[Data]
Date and times: October 10, 2016 (Mon. & National Holiday) 13:30 – 17:20
Venue: Kyoto University Shiran Kaikan, Inamori Hall
Program:
13:30 – 13:40 Opening remarks Sakiko Yoshikawa (Director, Kokoro Research Center, Kyoto University)
13:40 – 14:40 Four Reports of Kyoto Kokoro Initiative Workshops: “In and Out of Kokoro” Toshio Kawai (Professor, Kokoro Research Center, Kyoto University)
14:40 – 15:50 Lecture “From Nomadic Life to Sedentary Life: Did Changes of Kokoro Happen Then?” Norio Akasaka (Professor, Faculty of Letters, Gakushuin University)
15:50 – 16:10 Break
16:10 – 17:10　General discussion Norio Akasaka, Takashi Ikegami (Professor, The University of Tokyo, Komaba, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences), Juichi Yamagiwa (President & Professor, Kyoto University), Toshio Kawai
17:10 – 17:20 Closing remarks Nagahiro Minato (Executive Vice-President, Kyoto University)
Moderator: Yukiko Uchida
Host: Kokoro Research Center, Kyoto University
Support: The Inamori Foundation

The First Kyoto Kokoro Initiative Symposium "Kokoro and History" was held on Sep.13, 2015

The First Kyoto Kokoro Initiative Symposium “Kokoro and History” was held at Kyoto Hotel Okura on September 13, 2015. As the first symposium of the Kyoto Kokoro Initiative that was launched in April, a focus was placed on the history of kokoro, five lecturers gave lectures in their respective fields of specializaition, and discussions were held. On the day, more than 400 participants attended.
　

First, Sakiko Yoshikawa (Director, Kokoro Research Center, Kyoto University) introduced the background of the launch of the Kyoto Kokoro Initiative, and made the following remarks about its significance and undertakings: “I would like to clarify the richness and invaluableness of kokoro while creating relationships with large frameworks such as history, culture, nature, and the environment, and disseminate, both in Japan and throughout the world, the ideal form of a human society that cultivates abundant kokoro, as the “Kyoto Kokoro Initiative.” 　Next, Kazuo Inamori (President, The Inamori Foundation) gave encouraging remarks, saying, “The Inamori Foundation has continued to conduct various undertakings with the idea that stability will first be achieved in humans’ future when there is a balance between scientific developments and spiritual evolution. I hope that this project, which reconsiders the importance of people’s kokoro and disseminates to the world the practice and suggestions for the senses of ethics and morals that have been conveyed to Japanese people since long ago, will contribute significantly to humans’ spiritual evolution from now on.” 　Norifumi Ushio (Director, Scientific Research Institutes Division, Research Promotion Bureau, Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology) gave the following congratulatory remarks: “The Kokoro Research Center is promoting interdisciplinary research related to kokoro that surpasses academic fields, and is actively disseminating results to society as well. Beginning this initiative now, at a time when the true abundance of kokoro is being questioned, is wonderful in terms of timing. I pray for even further development.”

After that, Shinichi Nakazawa (Chief and Professor, Institute for Primitive Science, Meiji University) gave a keynote lecture on the theme of “The Structure and History of Kokoro.” Professor Nakazawa said that, “Particularly now, it is necessary to bridge the gap between kokoro in natural science and kokoro in the humanities.” While comparing the kokoro that has been clarified by modern neuroscience and the kokoro that has been understood by the humanities, he expressed his expectations for the Kyoto Kokoro Initiative by saying that, “In the 21st century, integration of physical objects and kokoro will be an important element. From now on, the processes of the brain and the processes of kokoro will probably move towards each other and an even deeper understanding will become possible.”

Next, Toshio Kawai (Professor, Kokoro Research Center, Kyoto University) gave a lecture on the theme of “The Historical Internalization of Kokoro and Interface.” He compared Japanese people’s kokoro, which has been understood as an “open system that is connected to all including nature and other worlds,” and Western people’s kokoro, which is a “closed system that is shut in each individual” and that connects from Christianity’s prayer to psychoanalysis, and he discussed, from clinical psychology perspectives, the flow of changes toward a trend of understanding kokoro as an interface in which Internet society emerged.

In the afternoon, Yoshinori Hiroi (Professor, Facaluty of Law, Politics and Economics, Chiba University) gave a lecture on the theme of “‘Kokoro‘ and Social Design in Post-Growth Era.” While casting light on cultural historical evidence and data, Professor Hiroi, who specializes in public policy and scientific philosophy, discussed how people’s kokoro and society should respond to the change in Japan from expansion and growth to maturation and stability and also presented a vision for the ideal state of kokoro and society in the post-growth period.

After a break, Shinsuke Shimojo (Professor, Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, and Specially Appointed Professor, Kokoro Research Center) gave a lecture on the theme of “The Implicit Process and ‘Personal History’: Perception, Evolution, Social Brain.” Professor Shimojo said about the “personal history of kokoro” concept that developed from his own research that, “personal history is an accumulation of interactions between genetics and experiences, and between the environment and the brain; it is the consequence of personal histories coming together over various time scales. It is analogous to rings of a tree, showing its life history at a glance.” He also discussed the fact that reflecting carefully on the personal histories of oneself and others will lead to clues for searching for kokoro of the future.

Lastly, Juichi Yamagiwa (President, Kyoto University) gave a lecture on the theme of “The Origin of Kokoro: From Empathy to Ethics.” Dr. Yamagiwa, who specializes in primatology, brought attention to characteristics of humans, who have a unique system that is the opposite of other primates, in that they hide their sexual acts but eat publicly. Concerning the origins of the kokoro of people behind the complicated human society, he used various videos and data to show the results of research on primates such as gorillas, and he discussed the significance of comparative research for understanding kokoro.

After that, a general discussion was conducted by the five lecturers, and Toji Kamata (Professor, Kokoro Research Center, Kyoto University) said the following as summarizing comments: “This has been a productive time for the front runners of knowledge to consider kokoro from various angles.” In relation to Japanese people’s kokoro and animism, he introduced the lyrics of “Ringo no Uta (The Apple Song),” which was popular after World War II. He said that, “I have expectations for the development of future discussions at the Kyoto Kokoro Initiative concerning the possibilities that lie in Japan’s animism, which even found kokoro in apples.”

To close the symposium, Nagahiro Minato (Executive Vice-President, Kyoto University) gave the following closing remarks: “Kyoto University has many, more than 20, laboratories and research centers, and of those the Kokoro Research Center is the smallest center, but it is conducting research on kokoro, which is the biggest thing. We expect that from now on the research surrounding kokoro will develop in a way that will lead to guideposts for individuals and society.” 　We plan to publish the content of the lectures that were given at this First Kyoto Kokoro Initiative Symposium as a book. We also plan to hold the Kyoto Kokoro Initiative International Symposium in 2016.

[Poster about the symposium]

(Japanese version only)
[Data]
Date and times: September 13, 2015 (Sun.) 9:30 – 18:00 (Reception begins at 9:00.)
Venue: Kyoto Hotel Okura, 3F, Suiun banquet hall (Access) (Kawaharamachi-Oike, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto)
Program:
9:30 – 9:50 Opening remarks          Sakiko Yoshikawa (Director, Kokoro Research Center, Kyoto University) 　　　　　 Greeting                       Kazuo Inamori (President, Inamori Foundation) Congratulatory address  Norifumi Ushio (Director, Scientific Research Institutes Division, Research Promotion Bureau, Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology)
9:50 – 11:00　Lecture 1 “The Sturucture and History of Kokoro” Shinichi Nakazawa (Chief and Professor, Institute for Primitive Science, Meiji University)
11:00 – 12:00　Lecture 2 “The Historical Internalization of Kokoro and Interface” Toshio Kawai (Professor, Kokoro Research Center, Kyoto University)
12:00 – 13:20　Break
13:20 – 14:20　Lecture 3 “‘Kokoro‘ and Social Design in the Post-Growth Era” Yoshinori Hiroi (Professor, Faculty of Law, Politics and Economics, Chiba University)
14:20 – 15:20　Lecture 4 “The Implicit Process and ‘Personal History’: Perception, Evolution, Social Brain” Shinsuke Shimojo (Professor, Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology)
15:20 – 15:40　Break
15:40 – 16:40　Lecture 5 “The Origin of Kokoro: From Empathy to Ethics” Juichi Yamagiwa (President, Kyoto University)
16:40 – 17:40　General discussion Shinichi Nakazawa, Toshio Kawai, Yoshinori Hiroi, Shinsuke Shimojo, Juichi Yamagiwa
17:40 – 18:00 Summary               Toji Kamata (Professor, Kokoro Research Center, Kyoto University)
Closing remarks      Nagahiro Minato (Executive Vice-President, Kyoto University)
Host: Kokoro Research Center, Kyoto University
Support: The Inamori Foundation

The First Kyoto Kokoro Initiative Symposium “Kokoro and History”

The First Kyoto Kokoro Initiative Symposium　”Kokoro and History”
* The maximum number of applications has been received, and therefore we are no longer accepting applications. (2015/7/30)

Advances in technology and economic globalization have brought about many changes and completely new experiences in human society. There is an increasing need for the human mind to orient itself in this new situation. In April 2015, Kyoto University, with support from the Inamori Foundation, launched the Kyoto Kokoro Initiative, a project focusing on the Japanese concept of kokoro. The Japanese word kokoro has a range of related meanings, often translated variously as “mind,” “consciousness,” “heart,” “spirit,” and “soul,” among other interpretations. In truth, however, there is no accurately corresponding English term. This Kyoto Kokoro Initiative aims to explore the concept of kokoro and its various connotations in an effort to help us orient our hearts and minds in increasingly complex and changing modern times.

(Japanese version only)

Date and times: September 13, 2015 (Sun.) 9:30 – 18:00 (Reception begins at 9:00.)

Venue: Kyoto Hotel Okura, 3F, Suiun banquet hall (Access) (Kawaharamachi-Oike, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto)

Program:
9:30 – 9:50
Opening remarks          Sakiko Yoshikawa (Director, Kokoro Research Center, Kyoto University)
Greeting                       Kazuo Inamori (President, Inamori Foundation)
Congratulatory address  Norifumi Ushio (Director, Scientific Research Institutes Division, Research Promotion Bureau, Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology)

9:50 – 11:00　Lecture 1
“The Sturucture and History of Kokoro“
Shinichi Nakazawa (Chief and Professor, Institute for Primitive Science, Meiji University)

11:00 – 12:00　Lecture 2
“The Historical Internalization of Kokoro and Interface”
Toshio Kawai (Professor, Kokoro Research Center, Kyoto University)

12:00 – 13:20　Break

13:20 – 14:20　Lecture 3
“‘Kokoro‘ and Social Design in the Post-Growth Era”
Yoshinori Hiroi (Professor, Faculty of Law, Politics and Economics, Chiba University)

14:20 – 15:20　Lecture 4
“The Implicit Process and ‘Personal History’: Perception, Evolution, Social Brain”
Shinsuke Shimojo (Professor, Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology)

15:20 – 15:40　Break

15:40 – 16:40　Lecture 5
“The Origin of Kokoro: From Empathy to Ethics”
Juichi Yamagiwa (President, Kyoto University)

16:40 – 17:40　General discussion
Shinichi Nakazawa, Toshio Kawai, Yoshinori Hiroi, Shinsuke Shimojo, Juichi Yamagiwa

17:40 – 18:00　
Summary Toji Kamata (Professor, Kokoro Research Center, Kyoto University)
Closing remarks Nagahiro Minato (Executive Vice-President, Kyoto University)

Host: Kokoro Research Center, Kyoto University
Support: The Inamori Foundation

Maximum participation: 400 people (by application, in order of arrival of the applications)

Participation fee: Free

Method of application:　* The maximum number of applications has been received, and therefore we are no longer accepting applications. (2015/7/30)
Please apply by e-mail or FAX by September 6 (Sun.).
Please clearly state “Application for the 1st Kyoto Kokoro Initiative Symposium” in the subject line, fill in the required matters, and then send it.
* We will contact you only in the event that the maximum number of applications has been received and you cannot participate.
Required matters
(1) Full name (Japanese phonetic pronunciation) (2) Occupation (affiliation) (3) Contact information for a reply (e-mail address)

Contact information / Place for sending an application:
Kyoto University Kokoro Research Center　Kyoto Kokoro Initiative Secretariat (weekdays 9:00 – 17:00)
E-mail : kokoro-event*mail2.adm.kyoto-u.ac.jp
　　　 (Please change the asterisk (*) to an “at” mark (@). Thank you.)
FAX : 075-753-9680　