Knowing and the Known: Consciousness, Cognition and Joint Speech with Fred Cummins
Jul 7, 2024
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Fred Cummins, a cognitive science expert with a rich academic background, dives into the evolution of cognition and consciousness. He explores the philosophical intricacies of these concepts, shedding light on the importance of questions over answers. A fascinating discussion arises around 'joint speech' and its social significance in rituals and protests, highlighting how it differs from animal communication. The conversation also critiques the limitations of technology in replicating these experiences and advocates for genuine human connection in a post-pandemic world.
The interdisciplinary evolution of cognitive science highlights its complex history, bridging fields like computer science and linguistics since the 1990s.
Redefining cognitive science encourages a broader examination of knowledge by incorporating diverse philosophical and cultural traditions into epistemology.
Joint speech illustrates the significance of collective vocalizations in social dynamics, revealing the interconnectedness of shared experiences and human interactions.
A critique of reductionist methodologies in psychology emphasizes the need for integrative approaches that account for the complexities of lived human experiences.
Deep dives
The Interdisciplinary Roots of Cognitive Science
The conversation highlights the evolution of cognitive science from its early intersecting fields such as computer science and linguistics. Initially, in the 1990s, there was a push to utilize dynamics and chaos theory as a way to clarify cognitive processes that were previously muddled. Indiana University was a hub for this interdisciplinary approach, creating a unique atmosphere where students and faculty explored new mathematics and cognitive modeling techniques collaboratively. Despite the initial enthusiasm, the complexity of cognitive science led to a realization that unifying all its components would prove difficult due to the diverse directions the field could take.
Cognitive Science and Epistemology
The discussion revolves around the expansive interpretation of cognitive science, which is framed within a longer historical context of understanding the relationships among the knower, the known, and the means of knowing. This definition emphasizes the importance of epistemology and encourages a broader examination of knowledge beyond traditional psychological approaches. By redefining cognitive science to encompass various philosophical and cultural traditions, individuals are prompted to explore essential questions about the nature of knowledge and existence. This approach creates an opportunity to escape the limitations of viewing cognition solely through the lens of individual psychological development.
The Complexity of the Self and Knowledge
A central theme in the conversation is the difficulty in conceptualizing the self, highlighting how traditional Western notions often lead to simplifications that overlook deeper complexities. By questioning the assumed delineations between the individual knower and collective identities, a nuanced conversation emerges about what constitutes a person in cognitive science. This perspective allows for the exploration of collective thought processes, revealing that understanding knowledge may not rely solely on individual cognition. Ultimately, it suggests that relationships among individuals and shared experiences form the basis of self-understanding rather than fixed identities.
The Role of Joint Speech in Human Interaction
Joint speech, which involves multiple individuals synchronizing their vocalizations, is presented as a significant area of study within cognitive science, shedding light on essential social dynamics. It encompasses a range of contexts, including sports chanting, prayers, and educational recitations, revealing how collective vocalizations can reflect underlying values and social cohesion. The speaker emphasizes that this phenomenon transcends mere language, opening up pathways for exploring biological and social interactivity. By studying joint speech, researchers can gain insights into how communal engagement shapes human experiences and interactions, extending far beyond individual cognition.
The Limitations of Traditional Scientific Approaches
There is a critique of contemporary scientific paradigms that rely too heavily on rigid methodologies to understand complex human behaviors and cognition, particularly in psychology. The discussion expresses concern over the reductionist nature of laboratory tasks that often strip away the richness of human experience. By relying on artificial situations and metrics, researchers may overlook vital aspects of cognition that are inherently tied to social context and lived experiences. This limitation calls for a reevaluation of how research questions are framed and encourages a more integrative approach that accounts for the dynamism and complexity of human life.
Challenging the Division Between Mind and Body
The conversation delves into the false dichotomy often drawn between mental and physical processes, arguing that both are intricately connected and cannot be adequately understood in isolation. By referencing various philosophical perspectives, it is established that cognition involves a passionate engagement with the world that transcends simplistic definitions. This interrelation suggests that understanding cognition requires a holistic view that takes into account the full context of human existence, including both our physical bodies and our emotive experiences. Recognizing the fluid interactions between mind and body ultimately leads to a more nuanced understanding of the human condition.
The Challenge of Representations in Science
Throughout the discussion, a key point emerges regarding the nature of representations and their capacity (or incapacity) to convey the complexities of lived experience. There's a critical awareness of how simplified models—be they mathematical, psychological, or otherwise—often fail to capture the dynamic nature of reality. The conversation underscores the need for scientists and scholars to remain critically aware of the limitations of their disciplinary boundaries. As knowledge evolves and encompasses a wider range of experiences, maintaining an openness to multiple interpretations remains vital for a holistic understanding of cognition.
Starting with Fred's unique scholarship and teaching, his nursing background, and his early studies with Douglas Hofstadter, Andrea & Fred lay the groundwork for an in-depth discussion on the history and interdisciplinary nature of cognitive science. Uncovering the philosophical and contemporary science behind defining cognitive science, the mind-body relationship, and distinctions between consciousness and cognition. They also discuss the phenomena of joint speech (a term coined by Cummins), its presence in rituals, protests, and sports, its biological and sociocultural facets, and the tech limitations in replicating such collective human activities. This engaging conversation bridges ancient wisdom with modern methodologies, focusing on questioning as much as on finding answers.
00:00 Introduction and Greetings 00:23 Fred's Academic Journey 01:27 The Cognitive Science Revolution 04:44 Defining Cognitive Science 07:07 Philosophical Underpinnings 14:06 Teaching Cognitive Science 17:41 The Evolution of Scientific Thought 19:46 The Complexity of Cognition and Consciousness 30:55 The Role of Neuroscience 32:40 The Intersection of Law, Medicine, and Cognitive Science 46:42 The Importance of Dialogue in Science 50:28 Exploring Neoplatonism and Theurgy 51:08 Hellenic Tantra: A Controversial Concept 51:43 Consciousness and Historical Purity 52:33 The Role of Scholarship in Understanding Traditions 54:16 Dialectics and Epistemological Perspectives 55:05 The Nature of Buddhism and Dialectics 01:01:14 The Importance of Writing and Creating 01:05:24 Cognitive Science and Its Broader Implications
