PHIL 3440: Cognitive Science                                                                    Ron Mallon

 

Topics 2.

 

Write a 5-7 page, double-spaced paper on a topic of your choice.  Here are some suggestions. 

Instructions:

 

 (1)  Papers may be on any topic of your choosing, but they should substantially engage the classroom readings and discussion.  Topics below are suggestions.  If youÕd like to discuss your paper topic [recommended if you are not writing on one of the topics below], feel free to contact me during my office hours or via email at rmallon@philosophy.utah.edu. 

 

(2) Papers should be original.  Plagiarism will result in a punishment not to exceed a failing grade for the course.  (Note also that work produced for another course cannot be submitted for this one.)

 

(3) Papers are DUE Monday May 2, 2005.

 

Some advice:

 

(1) Your paper should have an argument that you introduce, present, and conclude.

 

(2) It's often easier to start with a position you disagree with.

 

(3) Considering objections to your view will enhance the quality of your written work and your thinking.

 

(4) Rewrite, rewrite, rewrite.

 

Suggested topics:

 

1.  Explain what Fodor means by a 'module' and consider one or more of his arguments that central systems will not be modular (and cannot be understood) in light of one or more of the following attempts to understand domain-specific cognition:

                  (a) Sperber's arguments to the contrary.

                  (b) Sperber's epidemiological representations program.

                  (c) Leslies's discussion of ToBy and ToMM.

                  (d) Keil's work on folk biology.

                  (e) Boyer's work on religion.

 

2.  Boyer applies uses the example of belief in bekong among the Fang to illustrate his approach to cognitive anthropology.  Find another example of religious belief in the ethnographic literature, and analyze it as Boyer might.

 

3.  Consider the way Fodor's arguments against modularized central processes contrast with the approach taken by evolutionary psychologists to cognition.

 

4.  Consider the evolutionary psychological program in light of Richard Lewontin's discussion of the evolution of cognition.