Elective (Cognitive Value and Cognitive Dynamics)

Pre-requisites: None

Course objectives: Introduction to basic problems of cognitive dynamics and issues on cognitive value and learning the major arguments in favor of the existing viewpoints.

Course description: Having an indexical belief (i.e. propositional attitude) of a relevant kind means to be ina a mental state of some cognitive value. Being in this sort of state at any given moment demands, as we shall se, from agent to be in that state or in some states of that kind over time i.e. agent is able to retain beliefs. Conversely, keeping beliefs (i.e. propositional attitude) means being in a mental state of some cognitive value or passing through a series of such states. Cognitive value and retention of beliefs (i.e. propositional attitude) in respect of the relevant indexical beliefs are, in a way that cognitive dynamics deals with it, mutually related and the main objective of this course is to examine and establish the nature of this connection. This, of course, requires an explanation as to what it means to be in the proper mental state of some cognitive value and what it means to keep the relevant belief.

Learning Outcomes: Students should be trained to develop their own original philosophical arguments of the issues related to cognitive dynamics and cognitive significance.