Philosophy of Psychology
PHIL 296
Fall 2020
| Section:
01
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| Crosslisting:
SISP 296 |
How does the mind work? So-called "computationalists" think that the mind (and the brain) works as a computer, which first forms and manipulates symbols (usually called "mental representations") according to rules, and then issues "commands" to guide behavior. On the other hand, the "5E" (Ecological, Embodied, Embedded, Enactive, Extended) approach rejects the computer analogy. 5E theorists insist that minds, and minded organisms more generally, cannot be understood in isolation from their environment. Cognition doesn't happen "in a vacuum," and it isn't separable from action. As a consequence, the mind can extend beyond the boundaries of our skull and even of our whole body. This course is devoted to comparing and contrasting the computationalist and the 5E approaches to cognition. We will examine similarities and differences, assumptions and commitments with respect to core debates at the interface of philosophy, psychology, and cognitive science such as, for instance, the nature of visual perception. |
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| Credit: 1 |
Gen Ed Area Dept:
SBS PHIL |
| Course Format: Lecture / Discussion | Grading Mode: Student Option |
| Level: UGRD |
Prerequisites: None |
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Fulfills a Requirement for: (PHIL)(PHIL-Philosophy)(PHIL-Social Jus)(STS) |
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Past Enrollment Probability: 50% - 74% |
| SECTION 01 |
Major Readings: Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore
The instructor will make PDFs of all the readings available for download.
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Examinations and Assignments:
Requirements include a short presentation, weekly discussion questions, and two essays. |
| Instructor(s): Buccella,Alessandra Times: ..T.R.. 02:50PM-04:10PM; Location: THEA; |
| Total Enrollment Limit: 30 | | SR major: 9 | JR major: 9 | | |
| Seats Available: 1 | GRAD: X | SR non-major: 4 | JR non-major: 4 | SO: 4 | FR: 0 |
| Drop/Add Enrollment Requests | | | | | |
| Total Submitted Requests: 2 | 1st Ranked: 0 | 2nd Ranked: 0 | 3rd Ranked: 0 | 4th Ranked: 0 | Unranked: 2 |
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