The module is organised in three parts:
1. The first is devoted to the epistemological assumptions of scientific knowledge and in particular of studies devoted to the life sciences.
2. The second deals - through a historical and critical path - with the stages that led from the birth of cognitive sciences to the "naturalisation of mind and behavioural performance".
3. The third part is devoted to a critical analysis of the main studies and theories concerning "genetic determinism" and the behaviour/gender/culture relationship.
The overall sense of the course is thus marked by three general questions: what are the epistemological prerequisites for judging that a phenomenon is 'scientifically proven'? What are the main historical and theoretical milestones that have demonstrated a relationship between the behaviour of organisms and their anatomical and physiological structures? If an individual's organic structures are due to its genetic make-up, does its behavioural performance also depend on genes?
To these questions, the course will not provide certain answers since the debate - at least on its most frontier aspects - is still ongoing; it will, however, provide critical tools and knowledge in order to be able to more consciously judge the theoretical aspects and possible practical and/or therapeutic actions related to the questions posed above.
Subjects | Text References | |
---|---|---|
1 | The importance of a critical and epistemological approach to the study of the mind. | Handouts and slides (pdf) |
2 | Naturalisation of cognitive processes. Evolution by natural selection. | Handouts and slides (pdf) |
3 | Instincts, behavioural modules and optimisation models. | Handouts and slides (pdf) |
4 | Hereditary mechanics genetics, neo-Darwinism, population genetics and sociobiology. | Handouts and slides (pdf) |
5 | The case of altruism: kin selection, reciprocity and individual strategies, game theory. | Handouts and slides (pdf) |
6 | The evolutionary function of emotions. | Di Nuovo, Giunti 2014, cap. 3 |
7 | The primacy of genetics? | Di Nuovo, Giunti 2014, cap. 6 |
8 | Limits of genetic reductionism and evolution in 4 dimensions. The brain changing itself. | Handouts and slides (pdf) |
9 | Side note. Handbook of diversity (and minor conflicts) between genders: from seductive strategies to yield maximisation. | Handouts and slides (pdf) |
The learning assessment may also be conducted electronically, should the conditions require it.