Philosophy - Neuroscience - Psychology

Media Assistance: Neil Schoenherr News Writer; Assoc. Record Editor nschoenherr@wustl.edu (314) 935-5235

Director: José Luis Bermúdez (bermudez@wustl.edu) Secretary: Kimberly Mount (kmount@artsci.wustl.edu)

Home Page: http://www.artsci.wustl.edu/~pnp/ Location: 208 Wilson Hall Email: pnp@artsci.wustl.edu Telephone: (314) 935-4297

The PNP program reflects a growing awareness among philosophers of mind of the importance of an informed interdisciplinary approach to understanding the mind/brain. Key elements of such an interdisciplinary approach include knowledge of cognitive neuroscience, psychology and artificial intelligence. The advent of new and powerful brain imaging techniques such as PET (positron-Emission Tomography) scanning and MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging), along with the increasing use of computational models of neural systems, has given rise to the field of cognitive neuroscience as a rich arena for interdisciplinary cooperation. Washington University enjoys an international reputation as a center of excellence in this field; neuroscience faculty have pioneered the use of these imaging techniques and conduct front-line research in computational neural modeling. The Department of Psychology is increasingly involved in research projects which forge links with neuroscientific studies in areas such as language processing, attention and memory, while the Department of Computer Science has a number of researchers in artificial intelligence and neural networks, who offer courses that are accessible to PNP students. The Department of Philosophy itself offers a range of courses specifically tailored for PNP, in addition to the courses that serve students in the department's regular Ph.D. Program. This confluence of resources and skills makes Washington University an ideal arena in which to train the next generation of cognitive philosophers.

News Stories & Tip Sheets:

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If in need, hope for happy people around One's circumstance and mood can impact moral behavior (http://news-info.wustl.edu/news/page/normal/6881.html) April 6, 2006 -- Your mood at the time might determine whether or not you help this woman. Do you consider yourself a moral person? Most of us do. But what is it exactly that makes us moral beings? A philosopher at Washington University in St. Louis thinks that circumstance and mood often have an extraordinary impact on how people behave, no matter what kind of character they may appear to have. Or, in other words, seemingly Sweet Sally may turn into Selfish Sally if in a foul mood. More ... (http://news-info.wustl.edu/tips/page/normal/6881.html)

Ben's 300th Birthday 'Doctor Franklin's Medicine' explores Founding Father's vast medical legacy (http://news-info.wustl.edu/news/page/normal/6284.html) Dec. 7, 2005 -- Benjamin Franklin's myriad contributions as scientist, inventor, publisher and statesman will be back in the spotlight in coming months as America celebrates his 300th birthday on Jan. 17. Much of the hoopla, including major exhibits in London, Paris, Philadelphia and other American cities, will focus on Franklin's role as an influential American diplomat. However, a new book by medical historian Stanley Finger contends that Franklin also deserves considerable recognition for important contributions to the healing arts. "With strong interests in bedside and preventative medicine, hospital care, and even medical education, he helped to change medical care in both America and Europe," Finger says.

Remembering Dallas Flashbulb memories of JFK's assassination may not be so accurate (http://news-info.wustl.edu/tips/page/normal/516.html) Nov. 5, 2003 -- Photo courtesy of Library of Congress Remembering Nov. 22, 1963. Download On Nov. 22, 2003, the nation will mark the 40th anniversary of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy in Dallas, Texas. The 1963 event was so surprising and traumatic, that many people who were alive that day claim they can remember exactly where they were and what they were doing when they heard the news. However, an expert in collective memory at Washington University in St. Louis claims those memories may not be as accurate as people think.

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Faculty Experts:

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José Bermúdez Chair of Philosophy - Neuroscience - Psychology (http://news-info.wustl.edu/sb/page/normal/764.html) José Luis Bermúdez's research interests are primarily in interdisciplinary philosophy of mind and philosophy of psychology. Topics of recent interest include the nature of mental content, models of psychological explanation, the role and origins of self-consciousness and the possibility of thought ... Expertise: interdisciplinary philosophy of mind, philosophy of psychology Direct contact: (314) 935-7149 / bermudez@wustl.edu

Pascal R. Boyer Henry Luce Professor of Individual and Collective Memory in Arts & Sciences (http://news-info.wustl.edu/sb/page/normal/140.html) Pascal Boyer Download Professor Boyer is an internationally recognized scholar on the study of how people and communities perceive and understand characteristics of their culture. His work centers on questions concerning the understanding of culture and its scientific investigation as it relates to the mind and the brain. ... Expertise: cognitive development, cognitive processes, cultural transmission, cross-cultural psychology, evolutionary psychology, oral epics in Africa, religion, … Direct contact: (314) 935-8282 / pboyer@artsci.wustl.edu

James V. Wertsch Marshall S. Snow Professor in Arts & Sciences (http://news-info.wustl.edu/sb/page/normal/18.html) James Wertsch Download James V. Wertsch, Ph.D., is a professor in the Department of Anthropology in Arts & Sciences.In addition, he holds joint appointments in Education, the Russian Studies Program, and the Program in Philosophy, Neuroscience, and Psychology, all in Arts & Sciences. Heis the director of the McDonnell International ... Expertise: Russia and former Soviet Union, collective memory, identity, international studies, psychology, education Direct contact: (314) 935-9015 / jwertsch@wustl.edu

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Contact Information Contact Information • José Luis Bermúdez Director bermudez@wustl.edu (314) 935-7149 (314) 935-4297 (fax) • Kimberly Mount Secretary kmount@artsci.wustl.edu (314) 935-4297 (314) 935-7349 (fax) Related Information Related Groups: