Event
About the Event
Can plants learn? Are plants sentient? Do they express agency? These questions have vexed scientists for decades and make us question the supposed uniqueness of animals. How can we leverage the cognitive and behavioral sciences to understand plant intelligence? If plants exhibit these qualities, then what moral and ethical responsibilities do we have to them? During this talk, Paco Calvo will discuss the philosophy and science of plant intelligence and themes from his book Planta Sapiens: Unmasking Plant Intelligence. Registered attendees enjoyed a buffet-style vegan lunch.
About the Speaker
Paco Calvo is a renowned cognitive scientist and philosopher of biology, known for his groundbreaking research in the field of plant cognition and intelligence. He is a professor at the University of Murcia in Spain, where he leads the Minimal Intelligence Lab (MINT Lab), focusing on the study of minimal cognition in plants. Calvo’s interdisciplinary work combines insights from biology, philosophy, and cognitive science to explore the fascinating world of plant behavior, decision-making, and problem-solving. By investigating the complex interactions and adaptive responses exhibited by plants, Paco Calvo has significantly contributed to our understanding of cognition beyond the animal kingdom, challenging conventional perspectives on intelligence and mental capacities.