Join us!

During the sommer semester we are covering the following topics:

Louis Longin

This course is an introduction to the basic ideas and methods of cognitive science: the interdisciplinary study of the mind. Understanding cognition poses unique challenges, unprecedented in the history of science. It seems to require that researchers across traditional disciplinary boundaries, interrogate common sense assumptions about our everyday experience, and face up to deep philosophical questions about nature itself.
The course is an introduction, so no previous knowledge of any of the wide variety of disciplines involved in cognitive science (psychology, computer science etc.) will be assumed. In each weekly session, we will explore one discovery or challenge that has formed cognitive science up to this day. So that, in the end, you have a good grasp over the past and present cognitive science landscape.

contact: louis.longin@campus.lmu.de

Link zum Vorlesungsverzeichnis

Sofiia Rappe and Lucas Battich
Co-lecturers:  Prof.Dr. Sellmaier, Stephan, and Dr. von Grundherr, Michaellsf

This course provides an introduction to core topics of neurophilosophy. There will be a combination of short lectures and text-based discussions. Students will write an essay and a protocol and discuss it in tutorials.

contact: Lucas.Battich@campus.lmu..de

Link zum Vorlesungsverzeichnis

Jurgis Karpus

This course will introduce students to decision-theoretic and game-theoretic study of rational choice and social interaction. The course is aimed at upper level undergraduate and postgraduate students in philosophy, economics, and other areas of research that have an interest in formal analysis of human decision making.

Contact: jurgis.karpus@lmu.de

Link zum Vorlesungsverzeichnis

Merle Fairhurst

How do we process the complex rhythms of two intertwined melodies? How when making music with others, do we coordinate actions in time and space by interpreting movements we see (a conductor’s baton) and sounds that we hear (a fellow musician’s instrument)? In this general review group, we will explore questions related to uni- and multisensory perception both when listening to and making music by referring to relevant empirical work from the field of cognitive neuroscience. Each week, by reading primary research articles, we will look at how experimental methods are used to test a specific scientific hypothesis and discuss empirical and theoretical strengths and weaknesses of various approaches. Based on the seminar, we will then work in groups during an additional practical session where we will attempt to answer new questions by developing appropriate study designs.

contact: m.fairhurst@lmu.de

Link zum Vorlesungsverzeichnis

Slawa Loev

Unseren Emotionen werden viele Dinge nachgesagt. Eines davon ist ein schwieriges Verhältnis zur “Vernunft” oder “Rationalität”. War das jetzt so klug, was Bernd da gerade aus Wut gesagt hat? Es scheint, als verleiteten uns unsere Emotionen öfter dazu, Dinge wider oder gar in Abwesenheit besseren Wissens zu tun. Doch ein Leben ohne Emotionen — wäre das was? Den meisten erscheint ein solches Leben, wenn nicht unvorstellbar, dann zumindest nicht sehr wünschenswert. Doch was genau würde einem solchen Leben fehlen? In diesem Seminar untersuchen wir den spezifischen Beitrag, welche unsere Emotionen zu unserem Erkenntnisvermögen machen. Sind Emotionen bloße Hindernisse wenn es um Erkenntnis geht? Wie und warum? Spielen sie konstruktive epistemische Rollen? Wie und welche? Erleichtern sie z.B. den Zugang zu bestimmten Arten von Wissen? Oder machen sie ihn überhaupt erst möglich? Tragen sie zu unserem Verstehen von Dingen bei?

contact: w.loev@lmu.de

Link zum Vorlesungsverzeichnis