Philosophy and the Sciences: Introduction to the Philosophy of Cognitive Sciences from Coursera

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.

Syllabus

Philosophy and the Sciences Part 1

This course is the second part of the joint course 'Philosophy and the Sciences'. If you want to go to the first part of the course, 'Philosophy and the Physical Sciences' follow the link below

Stone-age minds in modern skulls: evolutionary theory and the philosophy of mind (Suilin Lavelle and Kenny Smith)

Scientists agree that our brains are a product of natural selection. How did human brains and human cognitive structures evolve ?

What is consciousness? (Mark Sprevak and David Carmel)

Why do creatures with brains like ours have consciousness? What makes certain bits of our mental life conscious and others not?

Intelligent machines and the human brain (Mark Sprevak and Peggy Series)

How does one make a clever adaptive machine that can recognise speech, control an aircraft, and detect credit card fraud?

Embodied cognition (Andy Clark and Barbara Webb)

Embodied cognition is all about the huge difference that having an active body and being situated in a structured environment make to the kind of tasks that the brain has to perform in order to support adaptive success.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Introduces students to current research and key topics at the interface of philosophy and cognitive sciences

Covers foundational topics in cognitive science, including the evolution of the mind, consciousness, embodiment, and more

Led by reputable instructors who are experts in their respective fields

Offers a tie-in book for further exploration and understanding

Requires students to have a basic understanding of philosophy and cognitive science

Reviews summary

Cognitive science philosophy overview

Learners say this introductory course covers a range of topics related to the philosophy of cosmology and cognitive science. Students say that this course is beneficial for building a foundation in these subjects and for deepening one's understanding if they already have a background in philosophy.

Helpful and competent moderators

""I salute the way the cosmological concepts of dark matter and dark energy were explained easily by a trained physicist, and the way the discussion forums were moderated by competent staff members.""

Easily digestible material

""...if you have a background in philosophy, this course will be an easy one, but it gives a nice methodological way of explaining complicated topics in a simple manner.""

""All in all, a good course even if you're familiar with these topics...""

Engaging overview of topics

""A very good introductory course to the philosophy of mind and machines. Ideas are well explained and very easy to follow.""

""This course consists of two parts - philosophy of cosmology and philosophy of mind.""

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Philosophy and the Sciences: Introduction to the Philosophy of Cognitive Sciences with these activities:

Cognitive Psychology Concepts Refresher

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Review fundamental concepts in cognitive psychology, as an effective way to prepare for the course and strengthen your foundation, allowing you to better grasp the more advanced topics covered in the course.

Browse courses on Cognitive Psychology

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Revisit your previous notes or textbooks on cognitive psychology.
Review online articles and summaries on key topics.
Take practice quizzes or tests to assess your understanding.

Data Analysis Skills Brush-up

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Refresh your data analysis skills by practicing with datasets related to cognitive sciences, ensuring you have the necessary tools to effectively analyze and interpret research data in the course.

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Review basic statistical concepts and methods.
Practice analyzing data using software or online tools.
Interpret and draw conclusions from the analysis results.

Philosophy of Cognitive Sciences Discussion Group

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Participate in discussion groups with peers to exchange perspectives on philosophical issues in cognitive sciences, fostering critical thinking and deepening your understanding of the subject matter.

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Join a discussion group or forum.
Prepare questions and comments based on course materials.
Engage in respectful and insightful discussions.

Five other activities

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Review: Philosophy and the Sciences for Everyone

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Enhance your understanding of the course concepts by reviewing the companion book, which provides clear explanations, chapter summaries, and study questions, specifically tailored to support students in this course.

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Read the book before or alongside the course.
Take notes and highlight key concepts.
Use the chapter summaries and study questions to reinforce your learning.

Cognitive Science Exercises

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Engage in exercises that test cognitive processes and abilities covered in the course, reinforcing and strengthening your understanding of cognitive mechanisms.

Browse courses on Cognitive Science

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Complete problem-solving puzzles.
Practice memory recall and retrieval techniques.
Analyze case studies in perception, attention, and decision-making.

Neuroscience Fundamentals

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Follow guided tutorials to grasp the fundamentals of neuroscience, exploring the structure and function of the human brain, expanding upon the course's examination of cognition and consciousness.

Browse courses on Neuroscience

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Watch videos on brain anatomy and physiology.
Use online simulations to explore neural processes.
Attend virtual workshops on neuroscience research.

The Evolution of the Human Mind

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Start a project to conduct research on evolutionary theory and how it has influenced the evolution of the human mind, applying the principles discussed in the course.

Browse courses on Human Evolution

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Research evolutionary theory.
Examine the development of the human brain and its structures.
Analyze the impact of environmental and social factors on brain evolution.
Synthesize a report on your findings.

Cognitive Sciences Project: Design a Research Study

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Design and outline a research study in cognitive sciences, applying the methodologies and principles discussed in the course, demonstrating your understanding of empirical research methods.

Browse courses on Research Design

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Identify a research question and hypothesis.
Select appropriate research methods and participants.
Design the study procedures and data collection instruments.
Write a research proposal or outline.

Career center

Learners who complete Philosophy and the Sciences: Introduction to the Philosophy of Cognitive Sciences will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Cognitive Scientist

Cognitive Scientists study the mind and how it works. This course may be useful as it provides an overview of some of the main areas and topics at the intersection of philosophy and the cognitive sciences. The course will cover topics such as the philosophy of psychology, the philosophy of neurosciences, and the nature of consciousness. This knowledge can help Cognitive Scientists better understand the human mind and develop new theories about how it works.

See salaries and explore the career path for Cognitive Scientist

Artificial Intelligence Researcher

Artificial Intelligence Researchers develop and test new methods for computers to learn, reason, and act. This course may be useful as it provides an overview of some of the main areas and topics at the intersection of philosophy and the cognitive sciences. The course will cover topics such as intelligent machines, embodied cognition, and the nature of human cognition. This knowledge can help Artificial Intelligence Researchers develop new AI systems that are more intelligent and human-like.

See salaries and explore the career path for Artificial Intelligence Researcher

Philosopher

Philosophers study the fundamental nature of reality, knowledge, ethics, and other important concepts. This course may be useful as it provides an overview of some of the main areas and topics at the intersection of philosophy and the cognitive sciences. The course will cover topics such as the philosophy of psychology, the philosophy of neurosciences, and the nature of consciousness. This knowledge can help Philosophers better understand the human mind and the relationship between mind and body.

See salaries and explore the career path for Philosopher

Neuroscientist

Neuroscientists study the nervous system, including the brain. This course may be useful as it provides an overview of some of the main areas and topics at the intersection of philosophy and the cognitive sciences. The course will cover topics such as the nature of human cognition, the relation between mind, machines, and the environment, and the evolution of the human mind. This knowledge can help Neuroscientists better understand the human brain and develop new treatments for neurological disorders.

See salaries and explore the career path for Neuroscientist

Cognitive Psychologist

Cognitive Psychologists study the mental processes involved in acquiring knowledge and understanding. This course may be useful as it provides an overview of some of the main areas and topics at the intersection of philosophy and the cognitive sciences. The course will cover topics such as the evolution of the human mind, the nature of consciousness, and the relation between mind, machines, and the environment. This knowledge can help Cognitive Psychologists better understand the human mind and develop new theories about how it works.

See salaries and explore the career path for Cognitive Psychologist

Robotics Engineer

Robotics Engineers design, build, and maintain robots. This course may be useful as it provides an overview of some of the main areas and topics at the intersection of philosophy and the cognitive sciences. The course will cover topics such as intelligent machines, embodied cognition, and the nature of human cognition. This knowledge can help Robotics Engineers design robots that are more intelligent and human-like.

See salaries and explore the career path for Robotics Engineer

Machine Learning Engineer

Machine Learning Engineers design and build machine learning models. This course may be useful as it provides an overview of some of the main areas and topics at the intersection of philosophy and the cognitive sciences. The course will cover topics such as intelligent machines, embodied cognition, and the nature of human cognition. This knowledge can help Machine Learning Engineers design models that are more accurate and insightful.

See salaries and explore the career path for Machine Learning Engineer

Software Engineer

Software Engineers design, develop, and maintain software. This course may be useful as it provides an overview of some of the main areas and topics at the intersection of philosophy and the cognitive sciences. The course will cover topics such as intelligent machines, embodied cognition, and the nature of human cognition. This knowledge can help Software Engineers design software that is more intelligent and human-like.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Engineer

Computer Scientist

Computer Scientists design, develop, and maintain computer systems. This course may be useful as it provides an overview of some of the main areas and topics at the intersection of philosophy and the cognitive sciences. The course will cover topics such as intelligent machines, embodied cognition, and the nature of human cognition. This knowledge can help Computer Scientists develop computer systems that are more intelligent and human-like.

See salaries and explore the career path for Computer Scientist

Data Scientist

Data Scientists collect, analyze, and interpret data. This course may be useful as it provides an overview of some of the main areas and topics at the intersection of philosophy and the cognitive sciences. The course will cover topics such as intelligent machines, embodied cognition, and the nature of human cognition. This knowledge can help Data Scientists develop models that are more accurate and insightful.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Scientist

Computational Neuroscientist

Computational Neuroscientists use computational models to study the brain and nervous system. This course may be useful as it provides an overview of some of the main areas and topics at the intersection of philosophy and the cognitive sciences. The course will cover topics such as the philosophy of neurosciences, the nature of human cognition, and the evolution of the human mind. This knowledge can help Computational Neuroscientists develop models that are more accurate and insightful.

See salaries and explore the career path for Computational Neuroscientist

Neurologist

Neurologists diagnose and treat disorders of the nervous system. This course may be useful as it provides an overview of some of the main areas and topics at the intersection of philosophy and the cognitive sciences. The course will cover topics such as the philosophy of neurosciences, the nature of human cognition, and the evolution of the human mind. This knowledge can help Neurologists better understand the nervous system and develop new treatments for neurological disorders.

See salaries and explore the career path for Neurologist

Biomedical Engineer

Biomedical Engineers design and build medical devices and equipment. This course may be useful as it provides an overview of some of the main areas and topics at the intersection of philosophy and the cognitive sciences. The course will cover topics such as the philosophy of neurosciences, the nature of human cognition, and the evolution of the human mind. This knowledge can help Biomedical Engineers design medical devices that are more effective and user-friendly.

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Speech-Language Pathologist

Speech-Language Pathologists assess and treat speech and language disorders. This course may be useful as it provides an overview of some of the main areas and topics at the intersection of philosophy and the cognitive sciences. The course will cover topics such as the philosophy of psychology, the nature of human cognition, and the evolution of the human mind. This knowledge can help Speech-Language Pathologists better understand speech and language disorders and develop new treatments.

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Psychiatrist

Psychiatrists diagnose and treat mental disorders. This course may be useful as it provides an overview of some of the main areas and topics at the intersection of philosophy and the cognitive sciences. The course will cover topics such as the philosophy of psychology, the nature of human cognition, and the evolution of the human mind. This knowledge can help Psychiatrists better understand mental disorders and develop new treatments.

See salaries and explore the career path for Psychiatrist