1. Objectives:
- Introduce basic notions of evolutionary biology and physiology of the nervous system.
- Understand current discussion on the evolution of human cognition.
- Discuss the role of the interaction between organism and environment in the evolution of the nervous system.
2. Format
Eleven reading seminars lasting 1.5h around different authors and topics that aim to explain the evolution of the nervous system and cognition in human beings. In each session, one participant will shortly (20min) present the topic in order to facilitate the discussion. After every session, this participant will prepare a summary of the discussion. The final transcript will be evaluated for feedback by the coordinator.
3. Schedule, topics, and readings
Seminars will take place from January to June 2019, on alternate Thursdays from 15:00 to 16:30h, open to online and in-person participation at the Carlos Santamaría Center Seminar 14.
| Session | Date | Topic | Bibliography |
| 1. | January, 10 | Introduction | Moreno, A., & Lasa, A. (2003). From basic adaptivity to early mind. Evolution and Cognition, 9(1).
Rosslenbroich, B. (2014). On the origin of autonomy: a new look at the major transitions in evolution (Vol. 5). Springer Science & Business Media. Chapters 8, 10.1 y 10.2 |
| 2. | January, 24 | Evolution of the nervous system I. Dynamic Systems | Barandiaran, X., & Moreno, A. (2006). On what makes certain dynamical systems cognitive: A minimally cognitive organization program. Adaptive Behavior, 14(2), 171-185. |
| 3. | February, 7 | Evolution of the nervous system II. Plant and animal cognition | Calvo Garzón, P., & Keijzer, F. (2011). Plants: Adaptive behavior, root-brains, and minimal cognition. Adaptive Behavior, 19(3), 155-171.
Keijzer, F. (2015). Moving and sensing without input and output: Early nervous systems and the origins of the animal sensorimotor organization. Biology & Philosophy, 30, 311–331 |
| 4. | February, 21 | Evolution and Agency | Barandiarán, X. (2008). Mental Life. A naturalized approach to the autonomy of cognitive agents. [Thesis Capítulos 5 y 6] |
| 5. | 7 March | The 4 dimensions of evolution | Jablonka, E., & Lamb, M. J. (2007). Précis of evolution in four dimensions. Behavioral and Brain Sciences, 30(4), 353-365. |
| 6. | March, 21 | Cognitive functions: working memory and the frontal lobe | Damasio, El error de Descartes. capítulos 2,3 y 4.
Frederick L. Coolidge, Thomas Wynn. 2009.The Rise of Homo Sapiens, The Evolution of Modern Thinking [capítulo 3] |
| 7. | April, 4 | Evolution and reproduction | Gruss, L. T., & Schmitt, D. (2015). The evolution of the human pelvis: changing adaptations to bipedalism, obstetrics and thermoregulation. Phil. Trans. R. Soc. B, 370(1663), 20140063. |
| 8. | April, 18 | Cultural Evolution I | Portin, P. (2015). A comparison of biological and cultural evolution. Journal of genetics, 94(1), 155-168.
Lewens, T. (2015). Cultural evolution: conceptual challenges. OUP Oxford (capítulo 1) |
| 9. | May, 2 | Cultural Evolution II | Dunbar, R. I. (2009). The social brain hypothesis and its implications for social evolution. Annals of human biology, 36(5), 562-572.
Laland, K., Matthews, B., & Feldman, M. W. (2016). An introduction to niche construction theory. Evolutionary ecology, 30(2), 191-202. |
| 10. | May, 16 | Evolution and 4E Cognition | Barrett, L. The evolution of cognition: a 4E perspective. The Oxford Handbook of 4e Cognition. New York: Oxford UP.
Malafouris, L. Bringing things to mind. In The Oxford Handbook of 4E Cognition. |
| 11. | May, 30 | ||
| Congress | July, 10-14 | 4E Cognition Theories |
4. Coordination and more information
In order to join the reading group or request further information, please contact the coordinators:
Enara Garcia (enara.garcia.otero@gmail.com)
Guglielmo Militello (guglielmo.militello@ehu.eus)
Alejandra Martínez Quintero (alejandra.mtz.quintero@gmail.com)