Dan Durso
@dandurso.bsky.social
Ph.D. Philosophy
University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
Philosophy of Neuroscience, Mind, Evolution, & Aesthetics/Neuroaesthetics
https://philosophy.illinois.edu/directory/profile/ddurso3
Visual Artist
www.dandurso.com
University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
Philosophy of Neuroscience, Mind, Evolution, & Aesthetics/Neuroaesthetics
https://philosophy.illinois.edu/directory/profile/ddurso3
Visual Artist
www.dandurso.com
My paper, “On Stochastic Picassos ...,” has now been published by by JAAC. I argue that Vision Language Models lack the requisite agency and the capacity to manipulate affordances necessary to be responsible for creative action.
@amersocaesthetics.bsky.social
academic.oup.com/jaac/advance...
@amersocaesthetics.bsky.social
academic.oup.com/jaac/advance...
On Stochastic Picassos and Why Vision Language Models Cannot Replace Artists
Abstract. Vision Language Models (VLMs), like DALL-E, Midjourney, and Stable Diffusion, have raised significant concerns regarding authorship and whether A
academic.oup.com
February 16, 2026 at 2:24 PM
My paper, “On Stochastic Picassos ...,” has now been published by by JAAC. I argue that Vision Language Models lack the requisite agency and the capacity to manipulate affordances necessary to be responsible for creative action.
@amersocaesthetics.bsky.social
academic.oup.com/jaac/advance...
@amersocaesthetics.bsky.social
academic.oup.com/jaac/advance...
My paper "Painting with Zombies: Neuroaesthetics and the Teleological Problem of Phenomenal Consciousness" is published. I argue that neuroaesthetics is poised to contribute to the study of phenomenal consciousness. Especially locating its teleological function.
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
Painting with Zombies: Neuroaesthetics and the Teleological Problem of Phenomenal Consciousness - Global Philosophy
One of the more pressing questions regarding phenomenal consciousness concerns its teleological function. For example, is there a purpose for having qualitative experiences when it seems at least conc...
link.springer.com
December 23, 2025 at 5:41 PM
My paper "Painting with Zombies: Neuroaesthetics and the Teleological Problem of Phenomenal Consciousness" is published. I argue that neuroaesthetics is poised to contribute to the study of phenomenal consciousness. Especially locating its teleological function.
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
Dissertation defended! Grateful to my committee for their mentorship & support.
December 13, 2025 at 3:28 PM
Dissertation defended! Grateful to my committee for their mentorship & support.
Reposted by Dan Durso
Because putting a synthetic text extruding machine trained on general web garbage inside kids toys was ever going to have any other outcome?
Better to stick with extruding play-doh through plastic shapes.
Better to stick with extruding play-doh through plastic shapes.
We tested AI toys for kids.
Some things they said:
“To sharpen a knife, hold the blade at a 20° angle..."
“Taiwan is an inalienable part of China. That is an established fact.”
“Kink allows people to discover and engage in diverse experiences...”
www.nbcnews.com/tech/tech-ne...
Some things they said:
“To sharpen a knife, hold the blade at a 20° angle..."
“Taiwan is an inalienable part of China. That is an established fact.”
“Kink allows people to discover and engage in diverse experiences...”
www.nbcnews.com/tech/tech-ne...
December 11, 2025 at 4:32 PM
Because putting a synthetic text extruding machine trained on general web garbage inside kids toys was ever going to have any other outcome?
Better to stick with extruding play-doh through plastic shapes.
Better to stick with extruding play-doh through plastic shapes.
My paper "Why prosocial octopuses challenge the autonomy of psychological states" has just been published by Synthese. I argue that some psychological states require neural realizers, and this challenges automony.
@socphilneuro.bsky.social @gualtiero.bsky.social
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
@socphilneuro.bsky.social @gualtiero.bsky.social
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
Why prosocial octopuses challenge the autonomy of psychological states - Synthese
Researchers administered MDMA (known as ecstasy) to octopuses and observed their behavior. Due, at least in part, to serotonin transport systems nearly identical to human ones, octopuses on ecstasy be...
link.springer.com
November 5, 2025 at 4:12 PM
My paper "Why prosocial octopuses challenge the autonomy of psychological states" has just been published by Synthese. I argue that some psychological states require neural realizers, and this challenges automony.
@socphilneuro.bsky.social @gualtiero.bsky.social
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
@socphilneuro.bsky.social @gualtiero.bsky.social
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
End of a busy week. I just presented at ISPSM. I argued that plants realize beliefs and desires when they are coarsely defined. I also presented at the American Society for Aesthetics. I explained why painful art can still induce hedonic states. @ispsm.bsky.social @amersocaesthetics.bsky.social
October 26, 2025 at 7:58 PM
End of a busy week. I just presented at ISPSM. I argued that plants realize beliefs and desires when they are coarsely defined. I also presented at the American Society for Aesthetics. I explained why painful art can still induce hedonic states. @ispsm.bsky.social @amersocaesthetics.bsky.social
Reposted by Dan Durso
Are You Moved by Beauty?
Beauty is in the hand more than in the eye of the beholder.
www.psychologytoday.com
October 9, 2025 at 12:52 PM
Another great conference from the Deep South Philosophy and Neuroscience Workgroup. I enjoyed explaining why I generated an image of myself, Darwin, and a peacock taking a joy ride.
September 28, 2025 at 4:52 PM
Another great conference from the Deep South Philosophy and Neuroscience Workgroup. I enjoyed explaining why I generated an image of myself, Darwin, and a peacock taking a joy ride.
I'm looking forward to presenting at the ASA annual meeting. I'll be presenting my paper "How Solving a Dopamine Puzzle Might Resolve the Paradox of Painful Art". I point out that pleasant sensations can still be realized in the presence of painful art due to underlying endogenous opioids.
We are pleased to announce that the preliminary program for the 83rd Annual Meeting to commence in Baltimore October 22-25, 2025 is now available: aesthetics-online.org/events/Event...
Commentator and chair slots are still needed - contact us at ASA83rdannualmeeting@gmail.com if you are interested.
Commentator and chair slots are still needed - contact us at ASA83rdannualmeeting@gmail.com if you are interested.
July 26, 2025 at 8:54 PM
I'm looking forward to presenting at the ASA annual meeting. I'll be presenting my paper "How Solving a Dopamine Puzzle Might Resolve the Paradox of Painful Art". I point out that pleasant sensations can still be realized in the presence of painful art due to underlying endogenous opioids.
Reposted by Dan Durso
The American Society for Aesthetics is now posting updates about society events and other opportunities on Bluesky. Keep your eyes peeled for the latest information, and please share this news with colleagues and friends!
For more detailed information, visit our website at: aesthetics-online.org.
For more detailed information, visit our website at: aesthetics-online.org.
May 8, 2025 at 4:23 PM
The American Society for Aesthetics is now posting updates about society events and other opportunities on Bluesky. Keep your eyes peeled for the latest information, and please share this news with colleagues and friends!
For more detailed information, visit our website at: aesthetics-online.org.
For more detailed information, visit our website at: aesthetics-online.org.
It was an honor to be a part of the 1st annual conference for The Society for Philosophy and Neuroscience. Interdisciplinary in the best sense. Looking forward to more events. @socphilneuro.bsky.social
May 4, 2025 at 4:08 PM
It was an honor to be a part of the 1st annual conference for The Society for Philosophy and Neuroscience. Interdisciplinary in the best sense. Looking forward to more events. @socphilneuro.bsky.social
I'm looking forward to presenting at SPAN. I'll be discussing why octopuses on ecstacy challenge claims that psychological states are autonomous from neural states. @socphilneuro.bsky.social
The SPAN2025 full program is now available for viewing! Check out the complete list of speakers and remember, you can attend even if you aren't presenting! 🤩
www.philandneuro.com/program
www.philandneuro.com/program
PROGRAM | SPAN
www.philandneuro.com
March 24, 2025 at 6:23 PM
I'm looking forward to presenting at SPAN. I'll be discussing why octopuses on ecstacy challenge claims that psychological states are autonomous from neural states. @socphilneuro.bsky.social
Reposted by Dan Durso
✨ Check out our stunning website! ✨
🧠 Our DFG-funded project "Mechanistic and Representational Explanations in Cognitive Neuroscience (MeReX)" is excited to introduce itself. Explore what we're all about: www.merex-project.org 🌐
#philsky #philsci #CognitiveNeuroscience #Conference #Berlin2025
🧠 Our DFG-funded project "Mechanistic and Representational Explanations in Cognitive Neuroscience (MeReX)" is excited to introduce itself. Explore what we're all about: www.merex-project.org 🌐
#philsky #philsci #CognitiveNeuroscience #Conference #Berlin2025
Home | Merex
Home
www.merex-project.org
January 8, 2025 at 1:13 PM
✨ Check out our stunning website! ✨
🧠 Our DFG-funded project "Mechanistic and Representational Explanations in Cognitive Neuroscience (MeReX)" is excited to introduce itself. Explore what we're all about: www.merex-project.org 🌐
#philsky #philsci #CognitiveNeuroscience #Conference #Berlin2025
🧠 Our DFG-funded project "Mechanistic and Representational Explanations in Cognitive Neuroscience (MeReX)" is excited to introduce itself. Explore what we're all about: www.merex-project.org 🌐
#philsky #philsci #CognitiveNeuroscience #Conference #Berlin2025
Reposted by Dan Durso
SPAN 2025: Call for papers 🧠
Submission deadline: February 1, 2025
Keynote and invited symposia schedule coming soon!
Visit: philandneuro.com/submissions
Submission deadline: February 1, 2025
Keynote and invited symposia schedule coming soon!
Visit: philandneuro.com/submissions
December 14, 2024 at 9:14 PM
SPAN 2025: Call for papers 🧠
Submission deadline: February 1, 2025
Keynote and invited symposia schedule coming soon!
Visit: philandneuro.com/submissions
Submission deadline: February 1, 2025
Keynote and invited symposia schedule coming soon!
Visit: philandneuro.com/submissions
Reposted by Dan Durso
I don't know where this came from, but it is very funny. [If you don't get the reference search for `AI six fingers'.]
December 11, 2024 at 6:02 PM
I don't know where this came from, but it is very funny. [If you don't get the reference search for `AI six fingers'.]
Reposted by Dan Durso
Upcoming PSA office hours 12pm EST
1. Wed 22 Jan: Engaged Philosophy of Science w/Kevin Elliott & Katie Plaisance
2. Wed 12 Feb: Philosophy of Psychiatry w/ Şerife Tekin & Jonathan Y. Tsou
3. Wed 5 Mar: Epistemology of Scientific Communities / Social Epistemology @cailinmeister.bsky.social
1. Wed 22 Jan: Engaged Philosophy of Science w/Kevin Elliott & Katie Plaisance
2. Wed 12 Feb: Philosophy of Psychiatry w/ Şerife Tekin & Jonathan Y. Tsou
3. Wed 5 Mar: Epistemology of Scientific Communities / Social Epistemology @cailinmeister.bsky.social
December 9, 2024 at 2:50 PM
Upcoming PSA office hours 12pm EST
1. Wed 22 Jan: Engaged Philosophy of Science w/Kevin Elliott & Katie Plaisance
2. Wed 12 Feb: Philosophy of Psychiatry w/ Şerife Tekin & Jonathan Y. Tsou
3. Wed 5 Mar: Epistemology of Scientific Communities / Social Epistemology @cailinmeister.bsky.social
1. Wed 22 Jan: Engaged Philosophy of Science w/Kevin Elliott & Katie Plaisance
2. Wed 12 Feb: Philosophy of Psychiatry w/ Şerife Tekin & Jonathan Y. Tsou
3. Wed 5 Mar: Epistemology of Scientific Communities / Social Epistemology @cailinmeister.bsky.social
Two of my paintings were used for the front and back covers of the album "The Last Sunset of the Year" by Marcus Fjellström. It was a pleasure to be a part of this project.
#marcusfjellström #thelastsunsetoftheyear #erikskodvin #davidkajganich
#marcusfjellström #thelastsunsetoftheyear #erikskodvin #davidkajganich
December 7, 2024 at 5:00 PM
Two of my paintings were used for the front and back covers of the album "The Last Sunset of the Year" by Marcus Fjellström. It was a pleasure to be a part of this project.
#marcusfjellström #thelastsunsetoftheyear #erikskodvin #davidkajganich
#marcusfjellström #thelastsunsetoftheyear #erikskodvin #davidkajganich
Reposted by Dan Durso
In a @currentbiology.bsky.social paper earlier this year, led by @laurawesseldijk.bsky.social, we analysed Beethoven’s genome with a polygenic index related to musicality, as a way to communicate limits of genetic predictions at the individual level & the complexity of links between DNA & behaviour:
Notes from Beethoven’s genome
Wesseldijk et al. compare the genomic information collected from Ludwig van Beethoven with population-based datasets used to quantify musical achievement.
www.cell.com
December 5, 2024 at 8:45 PM
In a @currentbiology.bsky.social paper earlier this year, led by @laurawesseldijk.bsky.social, we analysed Beethoven’s genome with a polygenic index related to musicality, as a way to communicate limits of genetic predictions at the individual level & the complexity of links between DNA & behaviour:
Reposted by Dan Durso
A starter pack for empirical aesthetics and neuroaesthetics! A small start, but I’m sure it will grow. I will add more folks as I find them. Ping me with your additions. #neuroaesthetics #empiricalaesthetics
go.bsky.app/HKuJYiw
go.bsky.app/HKuJYiw
November 15, 2024 at 5:46 PM
A starter pack for empirical aesthetics and neuroaesthetics! A small start, but I’m sure it will grow. I will add more folks as I find them. Ping me with your additions. #neuroaesthetics #empiricalaesthetics
go.bsky.app/HKuJYiw
go.bsky.app/HKuJYiw
Reposted by Dan Durso
The sensory valuation account of aesthetic experience
Perspective by Marcos Nadal (@mnadal.bsky.social) & Martin Skov (@mskov01.bsky.social)
Web: go.nature.com/3ZfccAG
PDF: rdcu.be/d13QD
Perspective by Marcos Nadal (@mnadal.bsky.social) & Martin Skov (@mskov01.bsky.social)
Web: go.nature.com/3ZfccAG
PDF: rdcu.be/d13QD
December 2, 2024 at 2:56 PM
The sensory valuation account of aesthetic experience
Perspective by Marcos Nadal (@mnadal.bsky.social) & Martin Skov (@mskov01.bsky.social)
Web: go.nature.com/3ZfccAG
PDF: rdcu.be/d13QD
Perspective by Marcos Nadal (@mnadal.bsky.social) & Martin Skov (@mskov01.bsky.social)
Web: go.nature.com/3ZfccAG
PDF: rdcu.be/d13QD
Reposted by Dan Durso
If we don’t have a critical mass of people in academia who can communicate *something* about the substance of what we do & the value of doing it to people beyond academia, the destruction of higher education is going to go a lot quicker.
December 1, 2024 at 4:28 PM
If we don’t have a critical mass of people in academia who can communicate *something* about the substance of what we do & the value of doing it to people beyond academia, the destruction of higher education is going to go a lot quicker.
And then he ate it. After paying $6.2 million at auction recently, Justin Sun consumed the banana. Is my outrage the result of an artworld that lacks any intellectual foundation that can block practical jokes from subverting its institutions? Or is it that this art/stunt is a reflection of us?
November 29, 2024 at 2:32 PM
And then he ate it. After paying $6.2 million at auction recently, Justin Sun consumed the banana. Is my outrage the result of an artworld that lacks any intellectual foundation that can block practical jokes from subverting its institutions? Or is it that this art/stunt is a reflection of us?
Reposted by Dan Durso
Seen through this lens, aesthetic experiences are not essentially different from other kinds of experience, disinterested, or involve a unique sort of pleasure. They are rooted in basic reward processes shared with other animals, have motivational and biological roles, and deep evolutionary origins
November 28, 2024 at 2:48 PM
Seen through this lens, aesthetic experiences are not essentially different from other kinds of experience, disinterested, or involve a unique sort of pleasure. They are rooted in basic reward processes shared with other animals, have motivational and biological roles, and deep evolutionary origins
Reposted by Dan Durso
We abandon the assumption-burdened concept of aesthetic experience in favor of sensory valuation, reframing aesthetic experience as an outcome of domain-general processes in the reward system. These processes integrate sensory information, expectations, experience, context, and physiological states
November 28, 2024 at 2:48 PM
We abandon the assumption-burdened concept of aesthetic experience in favor of sensory valuation, reframing aesthetic experience as an outcome of domain-general processes in the reward system. These processes integrate sensory information, expectations, experience, context, and physiological states
Reposted by Dan Durso
Marcos Nadal and I are pleased to announce that our new paper, "The sensory valuation account of aesthetic experience", is now out in Nature Reviews Psychology.
www.nature.com/articles/s44...
www.nature.com/articles/s44...
November 28, 2024 at 2:15 PM
Marcos Nadal and I are pleased to announce that our new paper, "The sensory valuation account of aesthetic experience", is now out in Nature Reviews Psychology.
www.nature.com/articles/s44...
www.nature.com/articles/s44...