May 21st 6.00pm to 8.00pm at the German Consulate New York

Autobiographical Memory and its Role in Self Understanding: New Perspectives from Philosophy and Cognitive Sciences

Prof. Dr. Albert Newen, Ruhr University Bochum, Prof. Dr. Pernille Hemmer, Rutgers University and Prof. Dr. Brian McLaughlin, Rutgers University.

How do we memorize past events? Do we remember an important past event (for us) as it actually (or at partially) was or how it best fits into our expectations, our self-image? Join us as we delve into the multifaceted nature of autobiographical memory and examine the various ways in which we recall and interpret our past experiences. Key topics include new insights from neuroscience and psychology in understanding memory mechanisms; this opens the floor for an interdisciplinary discussion of central questions, e.g. to which degree remain episodic memories photographic and realistic and to which degree are they a product of subjective reconstructions? How intensely can memories be shaped by our self-image and our worldview? Is autobiographical memory even mainly developed to support our self-image? What does follow from such a constructivist view of memory for testimonial memories in court, for our personal beliefs which are anchored on memories of past events? To which degree can we seriously rely on our episodic memories?

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