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Introduction to Human Mind through Neuroscience, Phenomenology and Systems Theory
Last Updated: 2026-02-05 16:21:26
Abstract
In this course, we will discuss the origin of neuroscience starting from the historical perspective of mind-body dualism and the roots of neuroscience in analytical philosophy. We will dismantle the assumption of human brain as a machine and understand its analog and context-dependent nature with phenomenology, sociology, and systemic thinking.
Objective
Students will: - Learn to situate neuroscience among philosophical and social perspectives on the human mind. - Critically reflect upon and understand the epistemology of neuroscientific evidence. - Learn the basics of brain imaging study design and analysis (EEG) and compare them to phenomenological and systemic study designs. - Complete a final short paper on a subtopic related to human mind from neuroscientific, phenomenological, and systemic perspectives. By the end of the course, students should be able to: - Demonstrate a critical understanding of neuroscience in philosophical and sociological contexts. - Understand the basics of neuroscientific, phenomenological, and systemic study designs. - Apply understanding on human mind to different socio-cultural settings.
Content
On the course, students will be introduced to the challenges of the neuroscientific study design in socio-cultural settings, and their perspective on human mind will be broadened from brain to phenomenological and systemic approaches. A key focus will be to understand the limits, the common pitfalls, and misconceptions about brain research, and in turn, critically reflect upon, question, and understand the epistemology of neuroscientific evidence. In this course, participants will learn in a hands-on manner the basics of study designs investigating the human mind. Participants will learn the core factors of brain imaging, phenomenological and systemic study designs, and further, they will be able to interpret the brain imaging results critically within the real-world context the data were collected. Students from any discipline are welcome to this course to learn in theoretical and hands-on manners if and how brain research can improve our understanding of the human mind in real-world situations in parallel with phenomenology and social sciences.
General Information
- Language
- English
- Levels
- DS
Examination
- Type
- graded semester performance
Registration & Places
- Max Places
- 30
Course Components
| Type | Title | Time & Place | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| lecture with exercise |
Introduction to Human Mind through Neuroscience, Phenomenology and Systems Theory
The lecturers will communicate the exact lesson times of ONLINE courses.
|
|
28 h semesterly |
Offered In
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Science in Perspective (In “Science in Perspective”-courses students learn to reflect on ETH’s STEM subjects from the perspective of humanities, political and social sciences. Only the courses listed below will be recognized as "Science in Perspective" courses.)
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Type A: Enhancement of Reflection Competence (SiP courses are recommended for bachelor students after their first-year examination and for all master- or doctoral students. All SiP courses are listed in Type A. Courses listed under Type B are only recommendations for enrollment for specific departments.)
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Type B: Reflection About Subject-Specific Methods and Contents (Subject-specific courses. Particularly relevant for students interested in those subjects. All these courses are also listed under the category “Typ A”, and every student can enroll in these courses.)
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D-BSSE (No courses are offered during the spring semester.)
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