Examination of the characteristic functions of discourse in and about the natural sciences; with particular examination of the ways in which scientific language both guarantees, and at the same time, obscures the expression of social norms in scientific facts.

This class will explore different modes of thinking (animal, human, machine) over the last hundred years, beginning at the dawn of the computer era. We will concentrate on both the contexts for scientific thinking about “thinking” itself, as well as selected primary texts that will elucidate the nature and artifice that is “thought.” Some topics will include: the military and modern technology; the birth of cognitive science in postwar America; varieties of artificial intelligence; and learning machines. Thinkers we will read might include: Turing, Von Neumann, Weiner, Heidegger, Dreyfus, Hinton, and more.

Repeat Rules

Course is not repeatable for credit.

Requirements class fulfills