Dr. Mark Miller
Philosopher. Cognitive Scientist. Happiness Aficionado.
As a philosopher of cognition I apply the tools of conceptual analysis and theoretical model building to answer fundamental questions about human cognition - about the way that human beings think.
My research investigates the implications of a leading new perspective on cognition, which conceptualizes the mind as an engine of knowledge-driven predictions. I work to integrate this body of work with the so called “4E cognition” view, which emphasizes the role of embodied and environmental processes in constituting what we call mind.
Today, I am exploring how these same developments in cognitive neuroscience may help us gain a clearer understanding of the impact that our increasingly technologically-mediated world has on our happiness and well-being. I am developing new perspectives on contemporary discussions in domains such as human-computer interaction and socio-technical systems, with a specific emphasis on human flourishing.
Current Affiliations:
Senior Research Fellow - Centre for Consciousness and Contemplative Studies, Monash University.
Research Fellow - Psychology Department, University of Toronto.
Lab Manager - Consciousness and Wisdom Lab
Visiting Researcher - Centre for Human Nature, Artificial Intelligence and Neuroscience, Hokkaido University.
Some recent news.
Predictive dynamics of happiness and well-being
Our new paper exploring the nature of human happiness and well-being. through the lens of predictive processing has just been accepted at Emotion Review. You can find the preprint here.
Mastering Uncertainty
Brand new paper out on the predictive dynamics that underlay our fascination with playing video games. Check out Mastering Uncertainty: A Predictive Processing Account of Enjoying Uncertain Success in Video Game Play.
Resilience and Anti-Fragility
Check out our new paper Resilience and Active Inference that develops a new computational approach to understanding resilience and anti-fragility - in agents and environments.
Our Podcast!
I have joined forces with radio personality Jamie Slevin and Monash University’s incredible new Center for Consciousness and Contemplative Studies to create The Contemplative Science Podcast - bringing cutting-edge science into conversation with contemplative traditions. Click HERE to join the community!
Voices with Vervaeke
Had another chance to chat with Prof John Vervaeke on predictive processing, well-being and wisdom - it was fantastic! Check it out here.
More Horror Research
Finally got the chance to team up with horror research extraordinaire Coltan Scrivner, to write a new paper in review, Surfing Uncertainty with Screams: Predictive Processing, Error Dynamics and Horror Films.