BEHAVIORAL AND COGNITIVE NEUROSCIENCE

In the 21st century, philosophy cannot disregard the knowledge we have acquired about the brain through neuroscience in its studies and reflections. The course aims to provide the foundations of cognitive and behavioral neuroscience. The structure of our brain will be explained, relating it to our cognitive abilities and our behavior.
Such knowledge is essential both from a purely philosophical perspective (one cannot speak of ethics, bioethics, or formulate theories without knowing how our brain works) and from the standpoint of educational sciences. We cannot understand how to teach others if we do not know how our own and their brains function.

Students will learn about the structure of the human brain. They will understand that each part of our brain governs a cognitive process and a behavior of ours. At the same time, they will be shown how it is not possible to consider brain areas in isolation. Our brain operates through neural connections that not only isolate but interconnect all brain areas.

A basic knowledge of general psychology.

- How the brain is made
- The nervous system and the neuron
- Communication within and between neurons
- Brain and behaviour
- Cognitive processes and cerebral cortex
- Perception: from sensory systems to the creation of perception
- Action: muscles, muscle receptors, spinal reflexes and voluntary movement
- Genes, emotions and instincts

Presti, Fondamenti delle neuroscienze Il Mulino, Bologna 2019.
Kandel, La mente alterata, Cortina, Milano, 2020

The learning assessment will take place through an oral examination. The knowledge of the notions and concepts present in the textbooks will be evaluated. There is no difference in the program for both attending and non-attending students.

The lessons will be interactive and will involve active participation from the students, along with materials to be studied in advance. Everything covered in class will be made available in the form of slides and handouts on Moodle.

Italian

Given the uniqueness and specificity of the course within the Master's degree program in Philosophical Sciences, attendance is strongly recommended

oral

This subject deals with topics related to the macro-area "Human capital, health, education" and contributes to the achievement of one or more goals of U. N. Agenda for Sustainable Development