Dr. Ned Block to Discuss Change and Intentional Blindness at Oct. 21 Lecture Ned Block, a Silver Professor of Philosophy, Psychology and Neural Science at New York University will give a lecture titled “Consciousness: Rich or Sparse?” sponsored by the Yeshiva University Center for History and Philosophy of Science,  at Yeshiva University on Thursday, October 21, at 7:30 p.m. The lecture, which is free and open to the public, will be held in Belfer Hall, Room 218 (2495 Amsterdam Avenue, New York City). httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IGQmdoK_ZfY The lecture will focus on the group of perceptual phenomena known as “change blindness” and “ inattentional blindness,” in which subjects fail to see objects right in front of their eyes. These phenomena have transformed debates about the nature of perception but are still unknown to many academics. Block will illustrate change and inattentional blindness and introduce two emerging theories that seek to explain them, in addition to giving serious consideration to the nature of perception. Block is “an eminent philosopher and a star in the field,” according to the center’s director, Dr. Peter Achinstein. Block has been chair of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Press Cognitive Science Board and served as president of both the Society for Philosophy and Psychology and the Association for the Scientific Study of Consciousness. “This is one of the most exciting fields out there,” said Achinstein, who added that Block’s lecture would be just one of a series designed by the center to spark dialogue and curiosity in the university community. “Dr. Block will raise challenging, thoughtful and ultimately exciting questions about the problem of consciousness for our audience.”