b'Department of Philosophy and Religious StudiesEvolving Concepts of ConsciousnessRhonda G RelifordSponsor: Dr. Christine JamesThis paper aims to examine the evolving concepts of consciousness and explore the potentiality of matter and spirit as two distinct bodies, dependent upon one another for sense experience. I will begin by looking at classical concepts of the soul, exploring platonic personal immortality. We will explore the hard problem of consciousness with David Chalmers and the opposition of Raymond Tallis, Dan Dennett and Keith Ward. I will explore how quantum physics may hold the answers we search for in regards to the consciousness and I will then compare the overwhelming evidence of Near-death experience and childrens spontaneous memories of past lives that have been able to be confirmed, along with the biological implications of reincarnations according to Dr. Ian Stevenson. The Paradox of Authentic FaithNicholas FlattSponsor: Dr. Lavonna LovernFear and Trembling focuses on Kierkegaards construction involving the paradox of faith. This paradox places the knight of faith in perpetual conflict given his duty to obey the universal will of God and his instruction by God that compels him to disobey that same universe as his abandonment of the universal will of God potentially propels him into the presence of God. To authentically be within the presence of God the knight of faith must choose to follow the paradoxical instruction given to him with no clear evidence or support if those instructions will lead him into the presence of God. Kierkegaards use of Abraham and Mary establishes the significance of both free will and the subjectivity of faith in relation to the knights choice. This discussion will focus on the subjective element involved in Kierkegaards paradox of faith and explore Julins assessment that irony is a qualification of [this] subjectivity (214).The project will then explore how this construction leads to a more complete understanding of authenticity. Finally, the discussion will conclude that irony orients the subjective and allows for the authentic existence of the knight within the unsolvable paradox of faith. 54'