Philosophy of Cognitive Science
Course content
The course provides students with the tools to critically assess the philosophical assumptions underlying both classical and contemporary cognitive science, with particular emphasis on the conception of the brain as an information‑processing mechanism. Students are introduced to classical and recent debates in philosophy of mind and philosophical psychology. Special attention is given to issues that are especially relevant for cognitive psychology, neuroscience, and contemporary models of machine learning and artificial intelligence.
Classes are taught in Danish and English.
The Bachelor's program in Cognitive Data Science
After completing the course, the student is expected to be able to:
Knowledge
- account for core concepts (e.g., mental causation, intentionality, and consciousness) and positions (e.g., behaviorism, identity theory, and functionalism) in the philosophy of mind
- explain theories and debates concerning cognitive architecture
- explain theoretical positions in contemporary philosophy of cognitive science, for example concerning information‑processing mechanisms, artificial intelligence, and mental representation
Skills
- identify the philosophical assumptions underlying discussions of and claims about, for example, machine intelligence/intentionality, machine consciousness, and simulation
- analyze the philosophical considerations that are assumed by predominant theoretical positions in contemporary cognitive science
Competences
- present, explain, and defend positions and models within the philosophy of cognitive science to both professional philosophers and non-specialists
- produce written presentations of selected issues, positions, and arguments in the philosophy of cognitive science in a coherent and logically consistent manner.
Teaching consists of lectures and seminars.
750 standard pages of required reading
Registration is automatic
- ECTS
- 7,5 ECTS
- Type of assessment
-
Oral examination under invigilation
- Type of assessment details
- Form of examination: Oral examination with fixed set of
questions and with preparation.
Group‑exam rule: only individual.
Scope: 30 minutes including grading. A preparation period of 30 minutes is provided. - Examination prerequisites
-
In order to be eligible to take the exam, the student must have received approval from the instructor for active participation in class. Active participation consists of completing at least 2 approved exercises/assignments out of 3, each with a length of 1,5–3 standard pages. Exercises/assignments must be completed individually or in groups according to the instructor’s specific guidelines. If an exercise/assignment is not approved, the student(s) have 1 week from the return date to submit an improved version. Only one revision attempt is permitted.
- Aid
- All aids allowed
All aids may be used during the preparation period, but only notes produced during the preparation may be brought into the examination.
- Marking scale
- 7-point grading scale
- Censorship form
- No external censorship
- Exam period
-
November
- Re-exam
-
Re-exam is the same as the regular exam
Criteria for exam assessment
See Learning Outcomes
- Category
- Hours
- Lectures
- 28
- Class Instruction
- 14
- Preparation
- 164
- English
- 206
Kursusinformation
- Language
- English
- Course number
- HFIB02011U
- ECTS
- 7,5 ECTS
- Programme level
- Bachelor
- Duration
-
1 block
- Placement
- Block 2
- Studyboard
- Study Board of Communication
Contracting department
- Department of Communication
Contracting faculty
- Faculty of Humanities
Course Coordinator
- Thor Grünbaum (3-776a75436b7870316e7831676e)
Teacher
Thor Grünbaum, Frederik Andersen
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