Roundtables: 2017

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Our roundtable format is designated the Theaetetus Table, an extempore discussion among five participants, all leaders in their respective fields, and named for the classical Greek mathematician and eponym for the Platonic dialogue investigating the nature of knowledge, who proved that there are five regular convex polyhedra, or Platonic solids. Each Theaetetus Table aspires to emulate the dialogue’s unhurried search for wisdom; and, like the five Platonic solids held to be the fundamental building blocks of the classical elements, the contributions of our five participants become the fundamental constituents of interdisciplinary insights emerging in the alchemy of the roundtable, insights that, in turn, transform the elemental thinking of those participants. The gathering of five discussants also symbolizes the five interrelated qualities of mind our interdisciplinary forums are intended to facilitate in our participants, and inculcate in our audience: curiosity, playfulness, inspiration, reflection, and wonder.

Sat
Jan 28th
2017
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The Library as Reality and Metaphor

This roundtable explores the significance of libraries across their many forms—physical, digital, and cognitive—as systems for organizing, preserving, and transmitting knowledge. It considers their epistemic and mnemonic roles in shaping how information is stored, accessed, and interpreted, as well as their broader cultural and philosophical importance in structuring individual and collective understanding.
Sat
Feb 11th
2017
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Pain

This roundtable explores the nature of pain as both a biological signal and a subjective experience, examining how it arises, how it is processed in the nervous system, and how it relates to affect, behavior, and homeostasis. It also considers current scientific approaches to pain management, including the use and risks of analgesics such as opioids, and reflects on the ethical challenges involved in advancing pain research and treatment for both humans and other species.
Sat
Feb 25th
2017
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The Displaced and The Other

This roundtable examines the human experience of migration and displacement, both historically and in the present day, in the context of large-scale global crises affecting refugees and displaced populations. It considers the social, ethical, and psychological dimensions of how individuals and societies respond to forced movement, exploring questions of compassion, responsibility, identity, and the conditions that foster either empathy or detachment in the face of human vulnerability and instability.
Sat
Mar 11th
2017
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Music to Whose Ears III: Music and Healing

This roundtable explores the therapeutic and cognitive effects of music on the brain, examining how melody, rhythm, and musical engagement can support individuals with conditions such as aphasia, autism, Alzheimer’s disease, and Parkinson’s disease. It also considers empirical findings on music’s role in enhancing memory, supporting cognitive development, and potentially slowing age-related decline, while investigating the underlying neurological and psychological mechanisms that may account for these benefits.
Sat
Apr 22nd
2017
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Design in Nature

This roundtable examines the concept of “design” in nature, considering whether the apparent order, efficiency, and aesthetic coherence of natural forms can be understood without invoking external teleology. It explores how ideas of immanent purpose, as discussed in classical philosophy (e.g., Aristotelian thought), relate to modern perspectives grounded in Darwinian evolution and physical first principles, and whether principles from physics, biology, and complex systems can account for the emergence of functional and adaptive structures in nature.
Sat
May 20th
2017
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Complexity and Emergence II: Visions of Cosmic Order, from Particles to People

This roundtable explores the emergence of complexity and order across scales—from fundamental physical particles to biological systems and human civilization—examining whether recurring principles of combination and integration give rise to distinct levels of organization. It considers how complexity evolves over time, how novel structures and behaviors emerge at different stages of the universe, and what these patterns reveal about the development of matter, life, culture, and consciousness.
Sat
Oct 14th
2017
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“Fake” Knowledge: Knowing and the Illusion of Knowing

This roundtable examines the nature of knowledge as a distributed and socially mediated phenomenon, from historical practices of shared memory to the contemporary influence of digital information systems. It explores how access to vast, externalized sources of knowledge—such as the internet—affects individual cognition, our sense of self, and our ability to distinguish between fact, speculation, and belief. The discussion also considers the relationship between collective intelligence and individual reasoning, and reflects on whether increased information necessarily leads to greater wisdom, as well as the broader implications of emerging human–machine knowledge systems.
Sat
Nov 18th
2017
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American Poetry Today

This roundtable brings together contemporary poets to discuss the evolving nature, role, and significance of poetry today, considering its relationship to other forms of communication and expression such as fiction, journalism, and film. Framed by reflections from figures such as Ezra Pound and William Carlos Williams, the discussion explores how modern poetry engages with diverse aesthetic, sociopolitical, and psychological concerns, and what unique forms of meaning, perception, and experience it offers in an age of media saturation and rapid cultural change.
Fri
Dec 1st
2017
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Art and Science: The Two Cultures Converging

This series of roundtables brings together artists, scientists, and scholars to explore the intersections of science, art, education, and society through themes of collaboration, interdisciplinary practice, and STEAM education. Across the discussions, participants examine how these fields inform one another, how such collaborations are formed and sustained, and how they may shape future approaches to knowledge, creativity, and learning.
Fri
Dec 1st
2017
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Science-Art Collaboration 1

This roundtable explores the nature and practice of collaboration between artists, scientists, and technologists, examining how interdisciplinary partnerships are formed, sustained, and challenged. It addresses questions of authorship, funding, and institutional support, while considering the tangible outcomes of collaborative work across art, science, and technology. The discussion also reflects on the deeper value of collaboration beyond rhetoric—how it functions in practice, how it can meaningfully bridge disciplinary divides, and what future models of collaboration might look like in a rapidly evolving cultural and technological landscape.
Sat
Dec 2nd
2017
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STEAM & the Future of Education 1

This roundtable focuses on the foundations and direction of STEAM education, examining how integrating art with STEM disciplines can reshape learning. Participants discuss pedagogical strategies, curriculum design, and how interdisciplinary approaches can cultivate creativity, critical thinking, and adaptability in students. It also considers institutional barriers and opportunities for implementing STEAM within existing educational systems.
Sat
Dec 2nd
2017
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Science, Art & Society 1

This discussion explores the broader societal role of science and art, emphasizing how both shape and reflect cultural values, public understanding, and communication of knowledge. Topics include the relationship between scientific innovation and societal impact, the role of artists and scientists in public discourse, and how cross-disciplinary collaboration can influence policy, education, and cultural awareness.
Sat
Dec 2nd
2017
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Science-Art Collaboration 2

This roundtable centers on practical and conceptual aspects of collaboration between artists and scientists. It highlights methodologies, tools, and case studies of joint projects, examining how different modes of thinking—analytical, creative, experimental—intersect. The conversation also addresses challenges in collaboration, such as aligning goals, translating across disciplines, and sustaining productive partnerships.
Sat
Dec 2nd
2017
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Steam and the Future of Education 2

A continuation and expansion of the first STEAM-focused discussion, this roundtable revisits key questions with additional perspectives. It further explores implementation strategies for STEAM education, including curriculum innovation, institutional change, teacher training, and scalability. The session emphasizes long-term visions for education systems that support transdisciplinary learning and prepare students for complex, evolving global challenges.
Sun
Dec 3rd
2017
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Science, Art & Society 2

Building on the first session, this discussion continues to examine the relationship between scientific and artistic practices within society. It considers ethical, cultural, and philosophical dimensions, including how these fields shape human experience, inform public policy, and contribute to evolving understandings of knowledge, creativity, and meaning.

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