Overall course description
Humans possess a brain that is about seven times larger, than would be expected given their body size. This unexpectedly large (and energetically taxing) brain allows our species many cognitive advantages, including advanced executive functioning and the ability to communicate in language. Thanks to these characteristics, humans have become the most prevalent animal species on our planet, inhabiting and thriving in practically all possible environments.
It is therefore not surprising that since the very beginnings of the evolutionary studies, humans were thought of as the pinnacle of evolution with uniquely human traits. However, findings from modern study evolution of humans and other animals show that many of these traits are in fact to some extent present in other species as well. By connecting findings from comparative psychology and biological anthropology this course will aim to answer the question of what we have learned from the study of nonhuman species about the evolution of human cognitive capabilities. It will offer a critical perspective on the idea of human species as the pinnacle of evolution. Instead, it will argue that all species have evolved traits enabling their survival in their specific ecological conditions.
Lecturer: Josefína Weinerová, MPhil
Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88998158135?pwd=QkNFNkFNTm9OQ09YTVNMV3VCSUpCUT09
Assessment
- Pass/Fail
- Deadline at midnight 26th May 2023
- Based on an essay of 1200-1500 words written in English language answering one of the preset questions
1) When did the evolution of human cognitive abilities become inevitable?
2) Is it possible for an AI system to develop Theory of Mind?
3) Is it possible to measure intelligence in non-human animals? How?
4) What are the methodological issues facing animal cognition research?
How should they be addressed?
Each essay should:
- Answer the essay question
- Use material talked about within the lectures
- Have structure – clear introduction of your topic and main argument (your own), well argued body paragraphs (about 4-6 of them), conclusion
- Have intext references and bibliography (I recommend using a reference manager to keep track of your literature)
- Have 1200-1500 words
- Define any terms you use
Essay should not:
- Just paraphrase everything connected to the topic
- Use only material learned in lectures
- Only summarise literature sources