CLEA, Free University of Brussels (VUB) Courses

Edgar Morin's The Method: Introduction to Complex Thinking and Critical Analysis

Delve into Edgar Morin's complex philosophical masterwork 'The Method' through an expert analysis of key concepts like dialogic thinking, recursive loops, and constructivist perspectives on reality and perception.

• YouTube
• 1 hour 40 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Free Video

Open-Ended Intelligence in the Light of Simondon's Philosophy of Individuation

Explore Simondon's theory of individuation and its implications for understanding open-ended intelligence, generative AI, and the nature of consciousness through physical, biological, and psychic perspectives.

• YouTube
• 2 hours 6 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Free Video

Using a Myth to Kill a Myth - Cognitive Science and the Myth of the Given in Philosophy of Mind

Delve into philosophical debates around Sellars' "Myth of the Given," exploring cognitive science, mental representation, and the evolution of scientific thinking through expert analysis.

• YouTube
• 1 hour 57 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Free Video

Why Enactivism Entails the Acceptance of Cultural Relativity

Explore the philosophical intersection of enactivism and cultural relativity, examining how context shapes mind and meaning through detailed analysis of Sapir-Whorf hypothesis and enactive cognition principles.

• YouTube
• 2 hours 1 minute
• Self-Paced
• Free Video

Development and Evolution Reconceived - Lessons from Process Ontology

Explore how process ontology revolutionizes our understanding of biological evolution and development, challenging traditional neo-Darwinian views with insights into the dynamic nature of life.

• YouTube
• 2 hours 4 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Free Video

The Third Story of the Universe - From Religious Myths to Scientific Evolution and the Noosphere

Explore the evolution of human narratives from religious myths to scientific understanding, and discover how the emerging concept of Noosphere offers a unified vision for humanity's future.

• YouTube
• 1 hour 59 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Free Video

Observing Objects - Revisiting Second-Order Cybernetics

Explore the philosophical intersection of object-oriented and process-oriented ontologies through Glanville's Theory of Objects, examining how observation shapes our understanding of objects and observers.

• YouTube
• 1 hour 54 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Free Video

From Absolute Theories to Creative Experiences - The Many Faces of Interdisciplinarity

Explore how interdisciplinarity transcends problem-solving to offer a holistic understanding of human life, knowledge creation, and complex phenomena like global warming and social inequality.

• YouTube
• 1 hour 48 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Free Video

Rethinking Required - Complex Systems are a Barrier to Human Progress

Explore how complex systems hinder human progress and discover new approaches to managing complexity in science, economics, and environmental challenges.

• YouTube
• 1 hour 12 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Free Video

Modeling the Collapse of Complex Societies

Explore mathematical modeling of societal collapse through dynamic systems theory, examining historical patterns and predictive frameworks for understanding complex civilization trajectories.

• YouTube
• 1 hour 9 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Free Video

Network Methods for Analysis of Participatory City Projects

Explore network science and statistical methods for analyzing citizen participation patterns in urban projects, focusing on iNaturalist's City Nature Challenge case studies from 2017-2020.

• YouTube
• 1 hour 19 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Free Video

Least Action and Complex Self-Organization

Explore the principle of least action in complex systems and how it drives self-organization through positive feedback loops, with simulations demonstrating power law relationships between system size and complexity.

• YouTube
• 1 hour 14 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Free Video

Implicit Values in Generative AI: What Does AI "Want"?

Explore the ethical implications of generative AI with Francis Heylighen as he examines the implicit goals and values driving AI systems and their potential impact on human-AI relationships.

• YouTube
• 1 hour 33 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Free Video

Digital Transition and Sustainable Development

Explore the intersection of digital transformation and sustainability, examining how technological advances can drive environmental and social progress while addressing key development challenges.

• YouTube
• 51 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Free Video

Self-Maintaining Systems as Models of Sustainability

Explore complex systems theory and sustainability through self-maintaining systems, examining how natural processes can inform sustainable development and organizational resilience.

• YouTube
• 1 hour 5 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Free Video