Levels of Analysis in Cognitive Science

Graduate seminar. A perennial theme in cognitive science is the idea that the mind/brain can be studied at different levels of abstraction, leading to influential frameworks positing levels of analysis and of explanation. The aim of this seminar is to revisit this theme in light of new methods and tools, both theoretical and empirical. Topics will include formal and philosophical theories of (causal) abstraction, discussion of techniques for analyzing (deep) neural networks, and related ideas involving approximation, abstraction, emergence, criticality, and other themes. Note: Enrollment is limited and by application only. Please send an email to the instructors with a few words about your research areas and your interest in the seminar themes.