Universität Wien

180160 SE New Trends in Cognitive Science (2023W)

The predictive coding approach to mind/cognition

6.00 ECTS (2.00 SWS), SPL 18 - Philosophie
Prüfungsimmanente Lehrveranstaltung
VOR-ORT

Preparation meeting: Monday October 2nd, 2023, 13:15 - 16:00
HS 2i, NIG, Universitätsstrasse 7, 2nd floor

An/Abmeldung

Hinweis: Ihr Anmeldezeitpunkt innerhalb der Frist hat keine Auswirkungen auf die Platzvergabe (kein "first come, first served").

Details

max. 25 Teilnehmer*innen
Sprache: Englisch

Lehrende

Termine (iCal) - nächster Termin ist mit N markiert

Freitag 06.10. 11:30 - 13:00 Hörsaal 2i NIG 2.Stock C0228
Freitag 13.10. 11:30 - 13:00 Hörsaal 2i NIG 2.Stock C0228
Freitag 20.10. 11:30 - 13:00 Hörsaal 2i NIG 2.Stock C0228
Freitag 10.11. 11:30 - 13:00 Hörsaal 2i NIG 2.Stock C0228
Freitag 24.11. 11:30 - 13:00 Hörsaal 2i NIG 2.Stock C0228
Freitag 15.12. 11:30 - 13:00 Hörsaal 2i NIG 2.Stock C0228
Freitag 12.01. 11:30 - 13:00 Hörsaal 2i NIG 2.Stock C0228
Freitag 26.01. 11:30 - 13:00 Hörsaal 2i NIG 2.Stock C0228

Information

Ziele, Inhalte und Methode der Lehrveranstaltung

The brain as a phantastic organ: The predictive processing approach in Cognitive Science

In a recent publication, Karl Friston, one of world’s leading pioneers and authorities on human brain imaging, has called the brain a phantastic organ – derived from the Greek word phantastikos, the ability to create mental images. Contrary to the concept that the brain is more or less a passive stimulus-response system, the first and foremost function of the brain is that it constantly generates fantasies, or hypotheses, that are tested against sensory evidence. In doing so, it creates models that try to predict the sensory evidence.

In this seminar we will explore how this and related concepts (e.g., Bayesian brain hypothesis, free energy principle, active inference) can be applied to topics in Cognitive Science and other disciplines.

Art der Leistungskontrolle und erlaubte Hilfsmittel

The following deliverables are requirements for final grading:
- Presenting a topic of a module in an online group presentation with 2-4 other students in the first session of one selected module and providing useful handouts (submitted to the eLearning platform)
(final grade: 30% individual performance, 20% group performance, 10% quality of the slides and hand outs)
- One review of a presentation (submitted to the eLearning plattform)
(final grade: 20%)
- Active participation (questions, statements, summaries) in the discussion forum on the eLearning platform of the course (comments)
(final grade: 20%)

Please note that these deliverables will need to be submitted online only via the eLearning platform as there will be participants that cannot participate in the seminar meetings in person due to Covid-19.

If you have any special needs or are not able to perform any of the seminar tasks please inform the lecturers in due time so we can plan accordingly. Please contact us in any of the following cases:

- before the first session: if you are subjected to traveling/visa restrictions, severe health risks, etc. and might not be able to attend some or any of our sessions
- before your presentation: if you are unable to attend your group presentation you also need to coordinate with your colleagues so we can discuss alternatives (e.g., online presentations)
- before any submission deadlines: you are asked to submit your assignments online and on time, so there should not be any problems.

Mindestanforderungen und Beurteilungsmaßstab

A positive score is required for passing the course.
Regular participation in at least 80% of seminar sessions is obligatory.

Course grading ranges from sehr gut (1) to nicht genügend (5) and results from the sum of the individual subgrades:

- Group presentation (30% individual performance, 20% group performance, 10% quality of the slides and hand outs)
- One review of a presentation (20%)
- Active participation in (online) class discussions and in the Moodle forums (20%)

Failure to meet a deadline results in a reduction of the subgrade's score.

%/score | grade
93-100 | sehr gut (1)
81-92 | gut (2)
71-80 | befriedigend (3)
61-70 | genügend (4)
0-60 | nicht genügend (5)

Additional Goals:
- Deeper understanding of a current approach in cognitive science and its influence on the field
- Awareness and understanding of current relevant topics and discussions in the field of cognitive science
- Ability to follow scientific developments in the field of cognitive science in a reflective manner
- Ability to write and present according to scientific standards
- Ability to interpret and evaluate results of primary scientific literature at an advanced level
- Ability to choose autonomously and give a condensed account on primary scientific literature
- Ability to communicate one’s expertise in order to contribute constructive criticism in the context of scientific debate
- Ability to work collaboratively within an interdisciplinary intercultural team in physical and virtual environments
- Ability to moderate dicussion on current topics in cognitive science
- Ability to deal with different points of view in an intercultural context

Prüfungsstoff

Each module consists of two sessions. In the first session, one group is asked to present their topic within 75 minutes. The material will be online and questions can be asked in the online forum. At the end of the first session the presenters have to provide a handout version of their presentation and the reference of an interesting (and maybe controversial) paper they stumbled upon during their preparation. Then two or three reviewers are assigned to review the presenters' individual and group performance and note what they have been missing.

The second part of the module will be used for interdisciplinary discussion. One week later we will meet online or in real life (depending on the covid-19 situation) to (a) discuss open questions on the topic and the presentation (b) reflect on what was discussed online, and (c) discuss the recent paper selected by the presenters. All participants are expected to read the provided paper and, optionally, use additional literature if needed. The discussion session should be used to find answers for open questions, integrating knowledge and compare different perspectives on the topic.

Literatur

Larissa MacFarquhar. The Mind-Expanding Ideas of Andy Clark. The tools we use to help us think—from language to smartphones—may be part of thought itself.
https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2018/04/02/the-mind-expanding-ideas-of-andy-clark

Andy Clark. Whatever next? Predictive brains, situated agents, and the future of cognitive science.
https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/behavioral-and-brain-sciences/article/whatever-next-predictive-brains-situated-agents-and-the-future-of-cognitive-science/33542C736E17E3D1D44E8D03BE5F4CD9

Wanja Wiese & Thomas Metzinger. Vanilla PP for Philosophers: A Primer on Predictive Processing.
https://predictive-mind.net/papers/vanilla-pp-for-philosophers-a-primer-on-predictive-processing

Scott Alexander. God Help Us, Let's try to understand Friston on Free Energy
http://slatestarcodex.com/2018/03/04/god-help-us-lets-try-to-understand-friston-on-free-energy/
(and links provided)

and additional literature announced in the seminar.

Zuordnung im Vorlesungsverzeichnis

Letzte Änderung: Mo 31.07.2023 11:07