PHIL-4750

Cognition and Education

We think of ourselves pre-scientifically, as “floating observers” in a theater of experience, mentally directing deliberations and willing actions. Educators approach our “aptitudes” in this way. But suppose we are primarily brains, operating as decentralized, parallel processing computational systems? How should we think of ourselves then? If we have multiple (unconscious) intelligences–not a single understanding–how should education be tailored to serve? We address such questions through cognitive science and philosophy of mind. Prerequisite: one previous course in philosophy or psychology. Offered alternate years.

4 credit hours