300591 SE Conceptual and Methodological Problems of Cognitive Ethology (2008W)

Through the reading and discussion of specific journal articles the course aims at providing a deeper understanding on the precision and limits of concepts like conscience, culture, tradition and intelligence in cognitive ethology. Attributing mental states to animals may also pose methodological difficulties. Ironing out all problems is hard even in regard to recent articles, but with proper attention it is possible to solve a number of them. By discussing these subjects the students should be able to recognize and avoid incurring in most common pitfalls.