Philosophical Foundations of COGS (C8808)
Note to prospective students: this content is drawn from our database of current courses and modules. The detail does vary from year to year as our courses are constantly under review and continuously improving, but this information should give you a real flavour of what it is like to study at Sussex.
We’re currently reviewing teaching and assessment of our modules in light of the COVID-19 situation. We’ll publish the latest information as soon as possible.
Philosophical Foundations of Cognitive Science
Module C8808
Module details for 2024/25.
15 credits
FHEQ Level 5
Module Outline
This module examines various philosophical foundational issues in cognitive science by focussing on the nature and role of computation and representation in cognitive scientific explanations. In particular, the module asks the question: can our everyday way of understanding the mind, in terms of beliefs, desires and intentions, serve as a foundation for a scientific understanding of mind? The module then analyses various answers that have been given to this question.
Library
Clark, A. (2001) Mindware: An Introduction to the Philosophy of Cognitive Science. OUP.
Module learning outcomes
Describe the way(s) in which cognitive science aims to integrate the mind into the natural world.
Critically discuss the relative merits of representational and non-representational accounts of cognition.
Synthesise arguments for, and counterarguments to, the elimination of the propositional attitudes from a science of the mind.
Explain the relative merits of symbolic and sub-symbolic accounts of cognition.
| Type | Timing | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Based Exam | Semester 1 Assessment | 70.00% |
| Coursework | 30.00% | |
| Coursework components. Weighted as shown below. | ||
| Essay | T1 Week 7 | 100.00% |
Timing
Submission deadlines may vary for different types of assignment/groups of students.
Weighting
Coursework components (if listed) total 100% of the overall coursework weighting value.
| Term | Method | Duration | Week pattern |
|---|---|---|---|
| Autumn Semester | Lecture | 1 hour | 11111111111 |
| Autumn Semester | Seminar | 1 hour | 11111111111 |
How to read the week pattern
The numbers indicate the weeks of the term and how many events take place each week.
Mr Simon Bowes
Assess convenor
/profiles/169679
Please note that the University will use all reasonable endeavours to deliver courses and modules in accordance with the descriptions set out here. However, the University keeps its courses and modules under review with the aim of enhancing quality. Some changes may therefore be made to the form or content of courses or modules shown as part of the normal process of curriculum management.
The University reserves the right to make changes to the contents or methods of delivery of, or to discontinue, merge or combine modules, if such action is reasonably considered necessary by the University. If there are not sufficient student numbers to make a module viable, the University reserves the right to cancel such a module. If the University withdraws or discontinues a module, it will use its reasonable endeavours to provide a suitable alternative module.