Philosophy of Cognitive Neuroscience
A.Y. 2021/2022
Learning objectives
The course aims to provide students with a rigorous knowledge of the main philosophical topics in cognitive neuroscience
Expected learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding
At the end of the course, students will
- know the key topics in philosophy of cognitive neuroscience
- master the philosophical and cognitive neuroscience literature
- understand the theoretical and experimental implications of the main debated issues in cognitive neuroscience.
Ability to apply knowledge and understanding
At the end of the course, students will be able
- to develop a philosophically sound approach to cognitive neuroscience
- to integrate conceptual analysis and experimental methods
- to build theoretically and empirically grounded arguments
At the end of the course, students will
- know the key topics in philosophy of cognitive neuroscience
- master the philosophical and cognitive neuroscience literature
- understand the theoretical and experimental implications of the main debated issues in cognitive neuroscience.
Ability to apply knowledge and understanding
At the end of the course, students will be able
- to develop a philosophically sound approach to cognitive neuroscience
- to integrate conceptual analysis and experimental methods
- to build theoretically and empirically grounded arguments
Lesson period: Second semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
The lessons will be held in dual mode. The face-to-face lessons will allow the participation of students connected with Teams as well as students in the classroom. Teams' channel code: ao5eo1t. The recordings of the lessons will remain available for the entire semester. Students wishing to participate in face-to-face lessons must refer to the following University provisions: https://www.unimi.it/en/study/bachelor-and-master-study/following-your-programme-study/teaching-activities-campus
Students wishing to participate in MSTeams lessons must refer to the following technical guides: https://www.unimi.it/en/study/student-services/technology-and-online-services/microsoft-office-365-education
To participate in the exam sessions, students must refer to the following provisions:
https://www.unimi.it/en/study/bachelor-and-master-study/following-your-programme-study/sitting-exams
Students wishing to participate in MSTeams lessons must refer to the following technical guides: https://www.unimi.it/en/study/student-services/technology-and-online-services/microsoft-office-365-education
To participate in the exam sessions, students must refer to the following provisions:
https://www.unimi.it/en/study/bachelor-and-master-study/following-your-programme-study/sitting-exams
Course syllabus
DO COGNITIVE NEUROSCIENCES REALLY MATTER FOR PHILOSOPHY?
A) Mind reading. How we read other minds. Is mind reading ability wired or do we learn to read other minds? False belief task. Two (mind reading)systems are better than one: some experimental evidence.
Introduction to the main philosophical views on joint action.
B) Joint and cooperative actions. The role of shared intention and the debate about its reduction to individual intention. Is it only matter of intention? Collective goals and motor representation.
C) Moral psychology. Moral intuitions: what they are and what they depend on. Could scientific discoveries undermine, or support, ethical principles? Two (moral) systems are better than one: some experimental evidence.
The course is open to all students of the mater course in Philosophical Sciences and to all students of other master courses of the University of Milan who are interested understanding an ubiquitous phenomenon such as joint action from a theoretical and empirical point of view.
A) Mind reading. How we read other minds. Is mind reading ability wired or do we learn to read other minds? False belief task. Two (mind reading)systems are better than one: some experimental evidence.
Introduction to the main philosophical views on joint action.
B) Joint and cooperative actions. The role of shared intention and the debate about its reduction to individual intention. Is it only matter of intention? Collective goals and motor representation.
C) Moral psychology. Moral intuitions: what they are and what they depend on. Could scientific discoveries undermine, or support, ethical principles? Two (moral) systems are better than one: some experimental evidence.
The course is open to all students of the mater course in Philosophical Sciences and to all students of other master courses of the University of Milan who are interested understanding an ubiquitous phenomenon such as joint action from a theoretical and empirical point of view.
Prerequisites for admission
No specific preliminary knowledge is required.
Teaching methods
Lectures
Debate and discussion
Debate and discussion
Teaching Resources
Reading and assignments for 9 ECTS
Attending students will be provided with handouts, materials and papers during the course. A web site with all teaching materials (included short video lectures) will be made available for non-attending students.
Reading and assignments for 6 ECTS
Students may choose two of three topics included in 9ECTS program. Attending students will be provided with handouts, materials and papers during the course. A web site with all teaching materials (included short video lectures) will be made available for non-attending students.
Attending students will be provided with handouts, materials and papers during the course. A web site with all teaching materials (included short video lectures) will be made available for non-attending students.
Reading and assignments for 6 ECTS
Students may choose two of three topics included in 9ECTS program. Attending students will be provided with handouts, materials and papers during the course. A web site with all teaching materials (included short video lectures) will be made available for non-attending students.
Assessment methods and Criteria
Students who attend at least 70% of the lectures will be assessed on the basis of two short papers (3000 words). Non-attending students have to write one short paper (3000 words) and take an oral examination. Evaluation criteria:
(A) the knowledge of the main topics of the course;
(B) the capability to integrate conceptual analysis and experimental methodologies as well as to master the relevant literature;
(C) independent judgment with respect to philosophical and scientific issues
(D) the ability to provide sounded arguments in written and oral communications.
(A) the knowledge of the main topics of the course;
(B) the capability to integrate conceptual analysis and experimental methodologies as well as to master the relevant literature;
(C) independent judgment with respect to philosophical and scientific issues
(D) the ability to provide sounded arguments in written and oral communications.
Unita' didattica A
M-FIL/02 - LOGIC AND PHILOSOPHY OF SCIENCE - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Unita' didattica B
M-FIL/02 - LOGIC AND PHILOSOPHY OF SCIENCE - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Unita' didattica C
M-FIL/02 - LOGIC AND PHILOSOPHY OF SCIENCE - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Professor(s)
Reception:
I am available for appointments any day. For urgent matters, I can be reached on Teams