Philosophy of Cognition and the Brain: From Neurons to Embodied Cognition

Course manual 2024/2025

Course content

How can we gain knowledge of the workings of the human mind by studying the functioning and organisation of the brains of human subjects and other animals? There is no doubt that our scientific understanding of the human brain has advanced enormously in the last few decades. However, what all of this knowledge tells us about the nature of human cognition
and behaviour remains an open question. This course will provide theoretical tools for addressing this question of how neuroscience helps us to understand the human mind.

Study materials

Literature

• William Bechtel  and Linus Ta-Lun Huang (2022), Philosophy of Neuroscience, Cambridge University Press

Objectives

• Explain important concepts from philosophy of science, as applied to brain and cognitive sciences
• List philosophical approaches to a variety of questions of theoretical and philosophical relevance
• Critically evaluate empirical research from a philosophical perspective
• Evaluate theoretical arguments on the basis of soundness and validity
• Explain how neuroscientific and psychological research may be of relevance to philosophical questions
• Recognize the value of philosophical debates for progress in brain and cognitive sciences

Teaching methods

• Lecture
• Seminar
• Self-study

Learning activities

Attendance

Requirements of the programme concerning attendance (OER-B):

1. In the case of practicals, the student must attend at least 80%. Should the student attend less than 80%, he/she must redo the practical, or the Examinations Board may have one or more supplementary assignments issued.
2. In the case of study-group sessions with assignments, the student must attend at least 80% of the study-group sessions. Should the student attend less than 80%, he/she must redo the study group, or the Examinations Board may have one or more supplementary assignments issued.

Assessment

Fraud and plagiarism

The 'Regulations governing fraud and plagiarism for UvA students' applies to this course. This will be monitored carefully. Upon suspicion of fraud or plagiarism the Examinations Board of the programme will be informed. For the 'Regulations governing fraud and plagiarism for UvA students' see: www.student.uva.nl

Course structure

Last year's student feedback

In order to provide students some insight how we use the feedback of student evaluations to enhance the quality of education, we decided to include the table below in all course guides.

Contact information

Coordinator

• dr. J.D. Kiverstein