Topics in the Philosophy of COGS (G5122)
Topics in the Philosophy of Cognitive Science
Module G5122
Module details for 2012/13.
15 credits
FHEQ Level 6
Module Outline
This module examines various philosophical foundational issues in cognitive science by focussing on the nature and role of computation and representation in cognitive scientific explanations. In particular, the module asks the question: can our everyday way of understanding the mind, in terms of beliefs, desires and intentions, serve as a foundation for a scientific understanding of mind? The module then analyses various answers that have been given to this question.
Library
Rather than a set text, students will read a selection of chapters and articles, such as:
Bermudez, Jose Luis (2003). Ascribing thoughts to non-linguistic creatures. Facta
Philosophica 5 (2):313-34 Gamez, David (2007) Progress in Machine Consciousness. Consciousness and
Cognition Volume 17, Issue 3, September 2008, Pages 887-910.
M. A. Boden (forthcoming) "Creativity and Artificial Evolution". In J. Copeland
and R. Brooks (Eds.) Creativity, Mathematics, and Computers (provisional title),
Templeton Press/MIT Press.
Module learning outcomes
Demonstrate an understanding of the way(s) in which cognitive science aims to integrate the mind into the natural world
Demonstrate an understanding of the relative merits of representational and non-representational accounts of cognition.
Demonstrate knowledge of arguments for, and counterarguments to, the elimination of the propositional attitudes from a science of the mind.
Demonstrate an understanding of the relative merits of symbolic and sub-symbolic accounts of cognition.
| Type | Timing | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Unseen Examination | Semester 1 Assessment | 70.00% |
| Coursework | 30.00% | |
| Coursework components. Weighted as shown below. | ||
| Presentation | T1 Week 12 | 34.00% |
| Essay | T1 Week 12 | 66.00% |
Timing
Submission deadlines may vary for different types of assignment/groups of students.
Weighting
Coursework components (if listed) total 100% of the overall coursework weighting value.
| Term | Method | Duration | Week pattern |
|---|---|---|---|
| Autumn Semester | Seminar | 2 hours | 111111111111 |
How to read the week pattern
The numbers indicate the weeks of the term and how many events take place each week.
Prof Ron Chrisley
Assess convenor
/profiles/476
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