Download Phil 212 2008 - UKZN: Philosophy - University of KwaZulu

UNIVERSITY OF KWAZULU-NATAL
HOWARD COLLEGE CAMPUS
EXAMINATIONS JUNE 2008
PHIL212H1: COGNITIVE SCIENCE
EXAMINERS: MR MICHAEL MEADON
PROF JOHN COLLIER
MODERATOR: PROF SIMON BECK
DURATION: 3 HOURS
TOTAL 200
Instructions: You must answer both Section A and Section B of the paper.
In Section A answer TWO essay questions
In Section B answer FOUR short questions in Part 1 and the essay question in Part 2.
PLEASE USE A SEPARATE ANSWER BOOK FOR SECTION A AND SECTION B.
SECTION A
Write an essay on two of the following questions
1.
What is the Standard Social Science Model (SSSM) and what are the principal
evolutionary psychological objections to the SSSM?
2.
Briefly outline the theory of evolution by natural selection and then explain in
detail how evolutionary psychology employs evolution to understand the mind. Make
sure to mention what evolutionary psychologists presume about (a) the period to
which humans are adapted and (b) the connection between the brain and the mind.
3.
Explain in detail what is the significance of the following boxes are both for
how the mind works in general and the specific function evolutionary psychologists
think gets evinced :
D
F
3
7
4.
Evolution is often thought to involve “selfish genes”, how, then, can
organisms ever be altruistic? Be sure to distinguish between kin altruism and
reciprocal altruism.
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UNIVERSITY OF KWAZULU-NATAL
HOWARD COLLEGE CAMPUS
EXAMINATIONS JUNE 2008
PHIL212H1: COGNITIVE SCIENCE
5.
Write an essay on the evolutionary psychology of one of the following topics:
a) incest avoidance.
b) violence.
c) ‘the battle of the sexes’.
d) female sexuality.
SECTION B
PART 1: SHORT QUESTIONS
Answer four of the following short questions for 10 marks each
6.
What is the symbol grounding problem?
7.
Name and describe briefly two problems Chomsky gives for behaviorist
theories of language.
8.
What is the Turing test?
9.
Describe causal spread and why it is an issue.
10.
Describe briefly how Clark and Dennett disagree on the role of language in
human thought.
11.
How does distributed cognition differ from behaviorism and
computationalism?
PART 2: ESSAY QUESTION
Answer the following compulsory essay question for 60 marks
12.
Distinguish between a methodology for studying behaviour and cognition and
a theory of mind. Take one theory of mind we have studied and describe its
advantages and disadvantages, keeping in mind the issue of testability.
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UNIVERSITY OF KWAZULU-NATAL
HOWARD COLLEGE CAMPUS
EXAMINATIONS JUNE 2008
PHIL212H1: COGNITIVE SCIENCE
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