PHIL455 Topics in the Philosophy of Cognitive Science: The Structure of the Mind
Professor Margolis
Do people with radically different background theories perceive the world in different ways? Is language essential to some forms of cognition? Are moral judgments more dependent on reason or emotion? What features of the mind generate implicit bias? This section of PHIL455 will look at questions about the overall structure of the mind where the best research is equally grounded in developments in philosophy and the cognitive sciences.
Readings
Usually one article per week. Some of these will be by philosophers, some by cognitive scientists. The exact readings will depend on the topics the class settles on—there will be some choices.
Course Format
This course will be organized as a seminar and will emphasize class discussion. Attendance and participation are required.
Grades
There is some flexibility here—I will ask for student input regarding the nature of the graded assignments—but the default will be: (1) 15% homework (brief written reactions to the readings), (2) 20% participation, (3) 15% short paper, (4) 50% research paper.
Papers
The short paper will take the form of a brief critical commentary on one of the main texts from the first few weeks of class. For the research paper (up to 3000 words), you will be given some options, including the opportunity to devise your own research topic, focusing on philosophical debates that are related to one of the major themes in the course.
Prerequisites
PHIL 441 (Philosophy of Perception), or PHIL451 (Philosophy of Mind), or 6 credits of Philosophy at the 200 level or above (excluding PHIL 220 and PHIL 320). Priority will also be given to 4th year Cogs majors and Philosophy majors. If you don’t meet the prerequisite, you may request permission to take the course. Email me using the subject line “PHIL455 permission request”.
Do people with radically different background theories perceive the world in different ways? Is language essential to some forms of cognition? Are moral judgments more dependent on reason or emotion? What features of the mind generate implicit bias? This section of PHIL455 will look at questions about the overall structure of the mind where the best research is equally grounded in developments in philosophy and the cognitive sciences.
Readings
Usually one article per week. Some of these will be by philosophers, some by cognitive scientists. The exact readings will depend on the topics the class settles on—there will be some choices.
Course Format
This course will be organized as a seminar and will emphasize class discussion. Attendance and participation are required.
Grades
There is some flexibility here—I will ask for student input regarding the nature of the graded assignments—but the default will be: (1) 15% homework (brief written reactions to the readings), (2) 20% participation, (3) 15% short paper, (4) 50% research paper.
Papers
The short paper will take the form of a brief critical commentary on one of the main texts from the first few weeks of class. For the research paper (up to 3000 words), you will be given some options, including the opportunity to devise your own research topic, focusing on philosophical debates that are related to one of the major themes in the course.
Prerequisites
PHIL 441 (Philosophy of Perception), or PHIL451 (Philosophy of Mind), or 6 credits of Philosophy at the 200 level or above (excluding PHIL 220 and PHIL 320). Priority will also be given to 4th year Cogs majors and Philosophy majors. If you don’t meet the prerequisite, you may request permission to take the course. Email me using the subject line “PHIL455 permission request”.