about
Curious
Consciousness
Welcome to the Laboratory for empirical phenomenology!
We are exploring consciousness very, very closely. "Very closely" means that we do not attempt to infer the content of consciousness based on brain activity, nor based on behavior or facial expressions. Instead, we observe, investigate, and delve into the experience itself, just as it appears in our consciousness at every moment. We are interested in what it is like to be human.
We base ourselves on philosophical insights into experience (hence phenomenology), but we are just beginning here – collecting concrete life data about experience (hence empirical). What it is like to be restless, how I think, how I dream, what it is like to be in love, how I experience knowledge, how learning is, how I experience lectures, what I experience during meditation, what I experience after a psychedelic experience, where my attention is when I wander with my thoughts, where it is when I daydream, how I feel my "self"…
Let us examine your attitude and we will tell you about the world you inhabit.
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Examining Attitudes
When we begin to closely observe our experiential landscape, we are quickly shaken by the realisation of how poorly we know it. We experience an even greater surprise when we start comparing our experiences with those of others. How is it that two students attend the same lecture—one experiences it as the revelation of his life, while the other boredly daydreams about dinner? How is it that one person is terrified to the core by encountering a snake in the meadow, while another enthusiastically enjoys the beauty of a “wonderful creature”? How is it that my friend enjoys a heavily dressed salad, while just the thought of vinegar makes my stomach turn? How is it that some are content, while others are not?
Is it possible that we live in entirely different worlds? If so, how?
It turns out that with detailed observation of experience, we can determine how we actualize our experiential world; how by directing our attention, we select certain elements of experience and push others into the background; how with our expectations we colour everything—our relationships, mood, even the image of the physical world that surrounds us. It turns out that everyone has their own “signature”—a characteristic of how they actualize their world.
We call this attitudes or horizons, and they are at the centre of our research.
Lab is always open.
It is here and now.
Whoever is curious enough can explore their own consciousness
Laboratory, phenomenology … it sounds complicated. And it truly is – demanding and intricate. But not in a way that makes it accessible only to the elite. Everyone can explore consciousness. The challenging part is not in understanding complex words and concepts. What is demanding in researching consciousness is that we need a considerable amount of willpower, time, and effort. Exploring consciousness is non-intuitive – instead of focusing on things, stories, opinions, we must turn our attention to feelings and the way things, stories, and opinions appear in consciousness.
The good news is that the laboratory is always open and available. The Laboratory for Experience Research is available at all times; anyone can explore their experience here and now. Interested?
One of the unique aspects of our research is that we are not interested in subjects – we are not interested in unaware individuals who come to a scientific laboratory from whom the researcher then gathers data. We are interested in co-researchers – people who share an interest in their experiences with us. Regardless of the data we manage to collect – the research is not successful for us if, at the very least, participating co-researchers have not enriched their lives.
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However we turn the thing – when we explore consciousness, we explore ourselves.
We are interested in consciousness as it is given to us. Mystical experiences are as interesting to us as the feeling of pain in the knee during meditation or everyday daydreaming in the shower.
Observing experience changes the experience: by observing, we co-create the experience. We researchers are responsible for the results of our observations.
Research is never a view from nowhere: we always begin with a clear examination of our own point of view, our expectations, and our biases. (The sum of all characteristics that determine how we experience is called the horizon or attitude.)
We are not interested in research subjects – only companions in research (co-researchers).
My experience is a puzzle. The experience of another is an even bigger puzzle. We are aware that we do not know. We are aware that knowledge about human consciousness from the first-person perspective is very limited and that we are only taking the first, awkward steps. But we are interested and are prepared to make the effort.
Honesty is the foundation. Even if it is not pleasant.
Founding Principles
Lep
Ongoing (re)search
Wanderings
A series of lectures and workshops is aimed at broadening the view of phenomenological research and exploring interesting, less researched topics from this field, with an emphasis on mind-wandering.
Observatory
Within LEP operates the Observatory – a group of researchers striving to use meditation as a tool for in-depth exploration of consciousness.
Thursday Research Meet-ups
Every Thursday, we host a researcher who presents and discusses their work with us.
Curious APP
We have developed a mobile application Curious for collecting data on experience. Our goal is to enable anyone who desires to confront their own experience.
Projects
List of Projects – those for which we have received funding and those that are too unconventional to attract financing, which we pursue out of pure curiosity. Among them is Observatory – the persistent effort of a group of researchers to use meditation as a telescope for observing consciousness.
Mind-wandering research
The interdisciplinary Mind-wandering project explores common, but intangible, phenomenological phenomenon of mind-wandering. The small group of trained researchers delve deeply into understanding how and why our thoughts wander in our daily lives. Our goal is to refine the research approach and make it accessible to everyone.
Luna - The Experiential Landscape of a Menstrual Cycle
The Luna project explores the experience of the menstrual cycle using the Experience Sampling Method (ESM). The project includes co-researchers who record their momentary experiences and daily reflections through a mobile app. The goal is to better understand the dynamics of experiences throughout the cycle, deepen self-awareness, and advocate for supportive environments and inclusive policies.
Green nudge
The Green Nudge project aims to develop an engaging educational program focused on designing nudges that encourage environmentally friendly behavior. By implementing subtle, unobtrusive changes in the choice environment, the project seeks to guide individuals toward sustainable actions without limiting their freedom of choice. Led by an interdisciplinary team from the University of Ljubljana, the initiative not only advances research but also organizes an international summer school where participants gain practical skills in creating effective green nudges.
Boring
Stuff
Here you will find a list of some of the scientific articles we have published. Many are very complex and long – we promise that the content is good and perhaps even important. Most of Urban's articles are variations on the same theme: with a long argument, he tries to show how we must understand the way we observe (attitude or horizon) if we want to comprehend what we see. Heavy reading ahead.
​Kordeš, U., Demšar, E. (2023). Horizons of becoming aware: constructing a pragmatic-epistemological framework for empirical first-person research. Phenomenology and the cognitive sciences, 22(2), 339-367.
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Kordeš, U., Demšar, E. (2021). Being there when it happens: a novel approach to sampling reflectively observed experience. New ideas in psychology. 60, 1-13.
Lab rats
Who is who?
prof. dr. Urban Kordeš
Head of the Lab
Likes to talk a lot. He drinks coffee and tea. Tries not to eat too many cakes. He hates vinegar.
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asist. dr. Mojca Stojan Dolar
Head of the Lab
Loves forests and mountains. Requires large amounts of black tea to function. Teaches meditation.
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doc. dr. Toma Strle
Head of the Lab
Nicest person. Bikes everywhere. Loves to play soccer with his boys. Does not like to make decisions.
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Amela Lišić
Head of the Lab
Strives for continuous development and improved well-being – in others and herself. Always on the go, ready for interesting explorations. And for cosy cafes.
Maša Poljšak Kus
Head of the Lab
Needs to work out to be able to work things out. Very likely to give you an etymology. Is open to all shades of burgundy. Has a slight hat addiction.