14 October -- UNSW Philosophy Seminar
310 Morven Brown Bldg
12:30-2:00
light lunch is served

Colin Klein (Macquarie University)

Title: "Brain Regions as Difference-Makers"

Abstract: It is common to speak of brain regions for particular cognitive 
functions: regions for reading, for seeing faces, or for doing math. This 
suggests that brain regions have a single function which they always and 
uniquely perform. Advances in neuroscience show that this simple picture cannot 
be correct. I suggest that we ought to instead read 'region for' as designating 
brain areas which make a difference to the performance of personal-level 
activities. I discuss how brain regions can have specific and systematic 
relationships to personal-level activities, and argue that this perspective 
lets neuroimaging indirectly constrain cognitive theories.


Bio:
Colin Klein is Lecturer in the Philosophy department at Macquarie University.  
His research focuses on philosophy of mind and philosophy of science, 
especially where they intersect in philosophy of psychology. His current 
research projects include developing a manipulationist account of neuroimaging, 
defending an imperativist theory of pain, and defending various theses about 
reduction and representation in philosophy of psychology.  Before coming to 
Macquarie, Colin was Associate Professor at the University of Illinois at 
Chicago; he received his PhD from Princeton University in 2007.
_______________________________________________
SydPhil mailing list: http://bit.ly/sydphil

New archive: http://bit.ly/SydPhilArchive

To UNSUBSCRIBE, change your MEMBERSHIP OPTIONS, find ANSWERS TO COMMON 
PROBLEMS, or visit our ONLINE ARCHIVES, please go to the LIST INFORMATION PAGE: 
http://bit.ly/sydphil ... and if you can't get to that page, try the EMERGENCY 
PAGE: http://bit.ly/SydPhilEmergency

Reply via email to