Causation and Conditionals in the Cognitive Science of Human Reasoning~!2009-12-08~!2010-01-18~!2010-07-13~!

2010 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 105-118 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mike Oaksford ◽  
Nick Chater
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Science ◽  
Human Reasoning

scholarly journals The uncertain reasoner: Bayes, logic, and rationality

2009 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 105-120 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mike Oaksford ◽  
Nick Chater
Keyword(s):  
Probability Theory ◽  
Cognitive Science ◽  
Human Cognition ◽  
Uncertain Reasoning ◽  
Human Reasoning ◽  
Reasoning Abilities ◽  
Rational Explanation ◽  
Everyday Reasoning ◽  
The Right ◽  
Bayesian Rationality

AbstractHuman cognition requires coping with a complex and uncertain world. This suggests that dealing with uncertainty may be the central challenge for human reasoning. InBayesian Rationalitywe argue that probability theory, the calculus of uncertainty, is the right framework in which to understand everyday reasoning. We also argue that probability theory explains behavior, even on experimental tasks that have been designed to probe people's logical reasoning abilities. Most commentators agree on the centrality of uncertainty; some suggest that there is a residual role for logic in understanding reasoning; and others put forward alternative formalisms for uncertain reasoning, or raise specific technical, methodological, or empirical challenges. In responding to these points, we aim to clarify the scope and limits of probability and logic in cognitive science; explore the meaning of the “rational” explanation of cognition; and re-evaluate the empirical case for Bayesian rationality.

scholarly journals Human Reasoning and Cognitive Science

2008 ◽  
Author(s):  
Keith Stenning ◽  
Michiel van Lambalgen
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Science ◽  
Human Reasoning

scholarly journals Biological Modules and Emotions

2006 ◽  
Vol 32 ◽  
pp. 115-134 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Dumouchel
Keyword(s):  
Natural Selection ◽  
Cognitive Science ◽  
Evolutionary Psychology ◽  
Human Reasoning ◽  
Theoretical Construct ◽  
Reasoning Abilities ◽  
Fine Tune ◽  
Biological Modules ◽  
The Way

But as for most genes, they are not the units of interest once we get to the network level: it is the whole conspiracy we care about. (von Dassow and Meir 2003, 27)Biologists, more precisely evolutionary biologists, and not only psychologists and philosophers also speak of modularity. However the way in which this theoretical construct functions in their discipline is relatively different from the role it obtains in evolutionary psychology and cognitive science. Rather than postulating modules to explain particular traits of organisms, such as the specificity of input systems or limitations of human reasoning abilities, biologists originally simply assume that some form of modularity constitutes a precondition of evolution. They argue that, in order for natural selection to fine tune organisms to their environment, different traits must be able to evolve independently from one another. This implies modularity in one form or another. Organisms will only be able to adapt if they do not come all in one piece, so to speak. It must therefore be possible for changes to occur in one characteristic of an animal without those changes having repercussions throughout the whole organism.

Broad-Minded: Sociality and the Cognitive Science of Morality

2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
John M. Doris ◽  
Shaun Nichols
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Functioning ◽  
Cognitive Science ◽  
Normal Development ◽  
Social Process ◽  
Large Body ◽  
Emotional Responses ◽  
Human Reasoning ◽  
Group Interactions ◽  
Transmission Of Information ◽  
Embedded Process

The article gives an overview on the concept of individualism in cognitive science. Individualism maintains that optimal human reasoning is substantially asocial, and therefore implies that sociality does not facilitate, and may impede, reasoning. The cognitive science of morality very frequently proceeds with individualist assumptions. The individualist may allow that normal development requires sociality, but deny that optimal reasoning in mature individuals requires it. The optimal cognitive functioning is both developed and sustained through sociality. The optimal exercise of rationality is a socially embedded process. It means that sociality is not just a precondition of rationality, but that even among those with normal cognitive functioning, the optimal exercise of rationality typically occurs as part of a social process. The sociality has a significant role in substantial cognitive achievement, such as scientific and technological discovery. A large body of research indicates that motivation plays a crucial role in reasoning. The optimal human reasoning is substantially asocial, and sociality is necessary for the development of optimal reasoning. The sociality is necessary for the sustenance of optimal reasoning, and for the transmission of information. One important feature of group interactions is that they are likely to induce emotional responses. Many familiar emotions such as anger, guilt, and sympathy are characteristically triggered by cues in social interaction.

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