At the end of the course students: will be acquainted with problems, methods and arguments in the philosophy of cognitive sciences; will have developed abilities of critical reading of a philosophical text; will have gained abilities of autonomous reflection on matters concerning the mental domain and the human person; will have improved her/his communicative abilities (in written or oral form) of philosophical contents.
The expected learning results include:
a) knowledge of the main approaches to the philosophy of cognitive sciences;
b) the ability of critical reading of a philosophical text;
c) the ability of producing and evaluating arguments in the domain of the mental and the epistemology of the mind
Some level of familiarity with analytic style philosophical essays
Frontal lessons and reading/discussion of short papers (distributed during the course)
Oral interview.
The examination aims to ascertain: (i) knowledge of the epistemological problems discussed in the philosophy of cognitive science and of the main models of mental abilities; (ii) the ability to produce and understand arguments in the domain of mental phenomena; (iii) the ability to critically read a philosophical text. The interview will include at least three questions organised hierarchically, i.e. starting with a general question and then moving down to an appropriate level of detail. The third objective will be pursued by asking the student to contextualise and clarify a short passage from one of the essays read in class.
The grade is expressed in thirtieths and communicated at the end of the interview.
Epistemological foundations of cognitive science(s):
- the physicalist received view and its criticisms
- Functionalism
- Computations and representations
- The modularity of mind
- from GOFAI to NFAI: neural nets, embodied and embedded cognition, enactivism
The program and texts of the course are identical for attending and non-attending students
Further information and materials will be available on the E-learning area (Moodle platform).
