Philosophy 290-2

This course will consider debates in the psychology of learning from a philosophical perspective. The classic debate between empiricists and nativists will be a central focus. Recent developments in cognitive science, including the current deep learning revolution, have led some to conclude that a strongly empiricist view might be viable, on which surprisingly little innate cognitive structure is required to explain human psychological capacities (or to emulate these in machines). To understand and assess this view, we will look carefully at some of the key distinctions in play, including (1) the distinction between associationist and cognitivist models of learning, (2) the distinction between innate and acquired knowledge and concepts, and (3) the distinction between rational and brutely causal psychological mechanisms. We will also consider (in as minimally a technical way as possible), some of the details of relevant models, including recent developments in artificial intelligence. Readings for the class will include chapters from Buckner’s recent monograph “From Artificial Intelligence to Rational Machines”.