Phil/Psych 447, Phil 673

Seminar in Cognitive Science

Explanation pattern: Variation + selection + heredity -> Evolution

Evolutionary error tendencies:

Everything is adaptive.
Neglect of alternative explanations: cultural learning, genetic drift, side effect (byproduct, spandrel, exaptation), epigenetic.
Just so storytelling.
Evolution is progressive and optimal.
Evolution implies morality, justifying ideology.
Overgeneralization: memes.
Individual vs. group selection.

Hypotheses about the origins of consciousness:

Non-existent so not evolved.
Adaptive: contributions to action, problem solving, learning, social interaction.
Side effect: emergent result of other adaptations, such as brain size, binding, attention.
Cultural development: Jaynes
Random drift, epigenetic.

How to tell if a behavior is innate:

1. Why do people kiss? Compare adaptationist with alternative explanations.

2. What are examples of human characteristics best explained as adaptations, side effects, random, or cultural artifacts?

3. Did consciousness evolve? Is it adaptive?

4. How is consciousness socially useful?

5. What are the differences between genes and memes?

6. What animals have core consciousness?

7. What animals have self consciousness?

8. How crucial is language for consciousness?