About this course: Course Description What is our role in the universe as human agents capable of knowledge? What makes us intelligent cognitive agents seemingly endowed with consciousness? This is the second part of the course 'Philosophy and the Sciences', dedicated to Philosophy of the Cognitive Sciences. Scientific research across the cognitive sciences has raised pressing questions for philosophers. The goal of this course is to introduce you to some of the main areas and topics at the key juncture between philosophy and the cognitive sciences. Each week we will introduce you to some of these important questions at the forefront of scientific research. We will explain the science behind each topic in a simple, non-technical way, while also addressing the philosophical and conceptual questions arising from it. Areas you’ll learn about will include: Philosophy of psychology, among whose issues we will cover the evolution of the human mind and the nature of consciousness. Philosophy of neurosciences, where we’ll consider the nature of human cognition and the relation between mind, machines, and the environment. Learning objectives Gain a fairly well-rounded view on selected areas and topics at the intersection of philosophy and the sciences Understand some key questions, and conceptual problems arising in the cognitive sciences. Develop critical skills to evaluate and assess these problems. Suggested Readings To accompany 'Philosophy and the Sciences', we are pleased to announce a tie-in book from Routledge entitled 'Philosophy and the Sciences for Everyone'. This course companion to the 'Philosophy and the Sciences' course was written by the Edinburgh Philosophy and the Sciences team expressly with the needs of MOOC students in mind. 'Philosophy and the Sciences for Everyone' contains clear and user-friendly chapters, chapter summaries, glossary, study questions, suggestions for further reading and guides to online resources. Please note, this companion book is optional - all the resources needed to complete the course are available freely and listed on the course site.
Who is this class for: This course is for everyone interested in learning about the historical and philosophical foundations of contemporary science.
Taught by: Professor Michela Massimi, Full Professor
Philosophy
Taught by: Dr. Alasdair Richmond, Dr.
Philosophy
Taught by: Dr. Suilin Lavelle, Lecturer in Philosophy
University of Edinburgh
Taught by: Dr David Carmel, Lecturer
Psychology
Taught by: Dr Mark Sprevak, Senior Lecturer
School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences
Taught by: Professor Duncan Pritchard, Professor of Philosophy
University of Edinburgh
Taught by: Professor Andy Clark
School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences
Taught by: Professor John Peacock, Professor of Cosmology
Institute for Astronomy
Taught by: Professor Barbara Webb
School of Informatics
Taught by: Dr Kenny Smith
School of Philosophy, Psychology & Language Sciences
Taught by: Dr Peggy Series
Institute for Adaptive and Neural Computation
| Language | English |
| How To Pass | Pass all graded assignments to complete the course. |
| User Ratings |
- Reading: Link to Philosophy and the Physical Sciences
- Video: 1.1 Stone-Age Minds Part I
- Video: 1.2 Stone-Age Minds Part II
- Video: 1.3 Stone-Age Minds Part III
- Reading: Handout
- Reading: Recommended readings
- Discussion Prompt: Evolutionary psychology
- Reading: The evolution of language
- Reading: Niche Construction
- Reading: Chimpanzee culture social learning
- Video: 2.1 What is Consciousness Part I
- Video: 2.2 What is Consciousness Part II
- Reading: Handout from Mark's lectures
- Reading: Slides from David's lectures
- Reading: Recommended readings
- Discussion Prompt: The hard problem of consciousness
- Reading: Access/Phenomenal consciousness distinction
- Reading: Overview of philosophical problems concerning consciousness
- Reading: Limitations of perceptual awareness
- Video: 3.1 Intelligent Machines Part I
- Video: 3.2 Intelligent Machines Part II
- Reading: Find and share news on intelligent machines!
- Reading: Recommended readings
- Reading: Computational theory of mind and connectionism
- Discussion Prompt: The predictive brain
- Reading: The McGurk effect video
- Reading: The Ames illusion video
- Reading: Motion perception
- Reading: The rotating mask illusion video
- Video: 4.1 Embodied Cognition Part I
- Video: 4.2 Embodied Cognition Part II
- Reading: Lecture Slides
- Peer Review: Write an essay: Philosophy of the Cognitive Sciences
- Reading: Recommended readings
- Reading: Embodied Cognition further reading
- Discussion Prompt: A Tale of Two Robots
- Reading: Passive-dynamic walkers video
- Reading: The current crop of robots
- Reading: Design your own robot
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A good overview though it does mix and match definition from Edinburgh research rather than research in general.
Excellent course, concentrated presentations, easy to follow, fun learning.
Very informative and enjoyable. Thanks to all who taught and participated.
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I LOVED this course, I learned so much about cognitive Science!