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Lecturer(s)
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Course content
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This course is dedicated to a close reading of The Embodied Mind: Cognitive Science and Human Experience, authored by Francisco J. Varela, Evan Thompson, and Eleanor Rosch in 1991. This seminal work introduced the concept of "embodied cognition" in cognitive science, challenging traditional views that separate mental processes from bodily experience. The authors argue that cognition arises through a dynamic interaction between the mind, body, and environment. A key contribution of the book is the development of the "enactive" approach to cognition, which posits that perception and action are fundamentally intertwined. This perspective suggests that organisms "enact" their world through embodied action, meaning that cognition is not about processing pre-existing information but about actively constructing meaning through engagement with the environment. The authors also explore the relationship between cognitive science and human experience by integrating insights from phenomenology and Buddhist meditative psychology. They propose that understanding the mind requires not only scientific analysis but also a direct examination of lived experience. This interdisciplinary dialogue aims to bridge the gap between objective scientific methods and subjective human experience, offering a more holistic understanding of cognition. The Embodied Mind has been highly influential in shaping contemporary discussions on the nature of mind and cognition, emphasizing the importance of considering the embodied and experiential aspects of mental processes. Reading The Embodied Mind, we will learn: - How cognitive science developed from early cognitivist paradigm to current approaches ephasizing embodiment as necessary element of cognition. - How the mind, body, and environment interact to create meaning. - Why cognition is an active process of engagement with the world. - How cognitive science connects with phenomenology and the study of first-person experience (we weill put less emphasis on the Buddhist tradition). - How cognitive-scientific inquiry applies to practical issues such as AI/robotics and environmental awareness.
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Learning activities and teaching methods
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Dialogic Lecture (Discussion, Dialog, Brainstorming), Work with Text (with Book, Textbook)
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Learning outcomes
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This course is dedicated to a close reading of The Embodied Mind: Cognitive Science and Human Experience, authored by Francisco J. Varela, Evan Thompson, and Eleanor Rosch in 1991. Reading The Embodied Mind, we will learn: - How cognitive science developed from early cognitivist paradigm to current approaches ephasizing embodiment as necessary element of cognition. - How the mind, body, and environment interact to create meaning. - Why cognition is an active process of engagement with the world. - How cognitive science connects with phenomenology and the study of first-person experience (we weill put less emphasis on the Buddhist tradition). - How cognitive-scientific inquiry applies to practical issues such as AI/robotics and environmental awareness.
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Prerequisites
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This is an introductory course; no prior knowledge of cognitive science is required. The course will be conducted in English. Students will be required to read literature in English and complete short writing assignments. All course materials will be provided at the beginning of the course and throughout the semester as needed.
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Assessment methods and criteria
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Student performance
Students are expected to read excerpts from primary texts before each lesson, actively participate in discussions, and complete several short writing assignments. Students are expected to be curious about empirical research on cognition-related issues and to strive to interpret this research philosophically.
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Recommended literature
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Varela, F., Thompson, E. & Rosch, E. (1993). The embodied mind: Cognitive science and human experience. Cambridge.
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