Conversations in Cognition

In addition to the events organized by affiliated departments and programs, the Cognitive Science program itself organizes regular speaker events. These often involve panel discussions either (1) bringing together scholars from across the university to talk about a topic of interdisciplinary interest or (2) brining in an outside speaker with comments from a range of Yale scholars. Starting in 2015, these events have been united as “Conversations in Cognition.” 

Spring 2016: “The Self”

Paul Bloom (Chair of Cognitive Science) moderated a discussion between Christina Starmans (Psychology), George Newman (Marketing), and Nina Strohminger (Cognitive Science) on how people think about people’s “true selves.” (pdf of poster)

Fall 2015: “Strangers Drowning”

Larissa MacFarquhar, staff writer at The New Yorker, discussed her recent book “Strangers Drowning: Grappling with Impossible Idealism, Drastic Choices, and the Overpowering Urge to Help.” In a discussion moderated by Paul Bloom (Chair of Cognitive Science), David Rand (Psychology) and Shelly Kagan (Philosophy) discussed when people do help others, and when they should help others. (pdf of poster)