Minds Knowing Minds: Metacognition and the Philosophy of Cognitive Science

Assuming that it is possible to acquire knowledge about oneself and others, how is this possible? In other words, which fundamental cognitive capacities are required to attain self-knowledge and knowledge of other selves? The concept of metacognition refers to thinking about thinking, encompassing both reflection on one's own thinking and reflection on the thinking of others. However, providing a more precise definition of metacognition is problematic. Is thinking the capacity to engage with and understand (often linguistic or imagistic) thoughts? Or is thinking better understood as the capacity to anticipate and regulate mental behaviour? The choice of definition places one within a highly contested debate in contemporary philosophy of psychology, namely the debate concerning the origins of self-knowledge.

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This seminar provides an introduction to the philosophy of cognitive science, metacognition, and the question of the origins of self-knowledge. Students will develop the ability to interpret scientific articles from the perspective of analytic philosophy and to combine empirical evidence with rational argumentation in order to evaluate philosophical arguments for or against scientific theories. Contemporary topics in the philosophy of mind and psychology will be introduced and discussed, with equal emphasis placed on their philosophical and scientific dimensions.