Lectures on Tap -The Science of Animal Consciousness: Smarter Than We Think

Fri Apr 17 2026 at 06:30 pm to 08:30 pm UTC-04:00

Downtown Boston | Boston

Felecia For The Win
Publisher/HostFelecia For The Win
Lectures on Tap -The Science of Animal Consciousness: Smarter Than We Think
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Professors, experts, and storytellers giving thought-provoking lectures in Boston bars.
About this Event

📍 Location: Exact address given in confirmation email

đź§  Lecture: "The Science of Animal Consciousness: Smarter Than We Think"

🎤 Speaker: Professor Michael Cohen


For most of Western history, animals were dismissed as little more than biological machines. Some of the brightest minds of the past even argued that animals couldn’t feel pain. Today, that view is increasingly difficult to defend.

In this eye-opening talk, Professor Michael Cohen traces how our understanding of animal minds has evolved—from philosophical denial to rigorous scientific investigation—and then dives into what modern research actually shows.

You’ll hear about cats perceiving visual illusions much like humans do, species capable of basic arithmetic, primates and dolphins recognizing themselves in mirrors, and other striking findings that reveal rich inner lives across the animal kingdom.

Together, this evidence challenges the sharp boundary we’ve long drawn between human and animal minds, with far-reaching implications for science, ethics, and animal rights.

Professor Michael Cohen is a Professor of Neuroscience and Psychology at Amherst College and a Research Scientist at M.I.T.


Get a drink, connect, and learn at Lectures on Tap! 🙌


Agenda

6:30 PM – Doors open: find a seat (open seating!), order food & drinks, and expect a bar line—arriving early is key.

6:55 PM – Host introduction

7:00 PM – Lecture begins

7:45 PM – Audience Q&A

8:00 PM – Have 1:1 time with the speaker, mingle with fellow guests, and order another round

8:30 PM – Wrap up.

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Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Downtown Boston, Downtown Boston, Boston, United States

Tickets

USD 39.19

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