Staff profile

Overview

Bridging the gap between stage magic and academia. Specialising in an exploration of the science-spirituality dichotomy, especially in (but not limited to) the Cartesian mind-body problem.

In the PhD thesis, a novel theory called Magicalism is proposed, defined as the view that the fundamental essence of consciousness is Magic, but in the sense of a card trick, not the supernatural sense. This is then related to further debates on the demarcation of science vs pseudo-science. Overly reductive 'pro-science' attitudes risk trivalising the humanising attributes of our conscious minds, yet we do not wish to succumb to illusory deceptions or spiritualist scams created by pseudo-scientific sources of information. The 'magical' effect of wonderous storytelling in both Stage Magic and Eastern Philosophy is discussed as a way of bridging some gaps found in overly-reductive scientific discussions. Stage Hypnotism, Philosophy of Psychiatry, and issues with Faith Healing are given as examples to further debate the balance between academia and 'magical thinking'.

 

Also performing stage hypnotism acts at universities to gain practical experience on the academic research explained above. Now accepted as an official associate member of FESH (the Federation of Ethical Stage Hypnotists). Please contact eleena.takashima@durham.ac.uk for performance bookings as well as for academic lectures, or possibly a hybrid of the two if there is any interest.

Research Output

PhD Thesis: The Eastern Magician's Apprentice in Philosophing about the Mind

https://etheses.dur.ac.uk/16241/1/Takashima_000919268.pdf?DDD24+

Research Interests

Philosophy of Magic

Eastern (Japanese) Philosophy

Mind-Body Problem (advocating Magicalism)

Philosophical 'Xombies'

Philosophy of Science (Lakatosian Research Programmes)

Philosophy of Psychiatry

Free Will, Agency, and Stage Hypnotism

Academic Background

2021-2025: Durham University, UK (PhD Philosophy)

2019-2021: Durham University, UK (MA Philosophy)

2016-2019: Durham Univeresity, UK (BA Psychology & Philosophy)

2013-2015: Simon Fraser University, BC, Canada (BSc Behavioural Neuroscience, Pre-Medicine)

2009-2012: Ikeda High School Attached to Osaka Education University, Japan

Pre-2008: Based in Seattle, WA, USA

 

Also certified as RTT Hypnotherapist, trained in 2021-2023

Conference History, etc

2023 Kobe Philosophy of Consciousness Conference (Kobe, Japan)

2023 8th Stockholm Graduate Conference (Stockholm, Sweden)

2024 Kobe Philosophy Seminar Series Guest Speaker (Kobe, Japan)

Magic Performances

2024-2025

  Durham Castle Hypnosis Show

  Stephenson College Halloween Hypnosis

  Harry Potter Society Hypnosis Halloween Show

  Durham Castle Charity Formal Card Trick Performance

2026

  Newcastle University Hypnosis Show (February)

  Durham St Cuthbert's Society Hypnotism (February)

  'The Eastern Magician's Apprentice' Stage Show (Planned for July)