https://studiegids.vu.nl/en/courses/2025-2026/W_MA_NSPBBStudents become familiar with ‘4E Cognition’ approaches, according to which cognition is embodied, embedded, enacted and extended, and their impact on contemporary discussions of the mind-body problem and ongoing debates about the nature and treatment of psychiatric disorders. Learning objectives:You can explain, criticize and evaluate the most important contemporary positions regarding the mind-body problemYou can explain, analyze and evaluate the main issues between traditional brain-bound views of cognition and recent ‘4E Cognition’ approaches. You are able to identify, analyze and evaluate what these issues imply for neuroscientific research and debates on the nature and treatment of psychiatric disorders. You are able to present and discuss these issues and their implications both verbally and in writingThe question of how the mind is related to the body, also known as the "mind-body problem", is one of the most important problems in philosophy. In this advanced master course we will discuss the state of the art of this problem, focusing on contemporary debates between traditional brain-bound views of cognition and recent ‘4E Cognition’ approaches, according to which cognition is embodied, embedded, enacted and extended.Interactive Lectures, attendance mandatoryMethods of assessment (the final grade is determined by a weighted average of three components):Presentation (30% of the final mark; assessment of learning objectives 1, 2 and 4)Final paper (70% of the final mark; assessment of learning objectives 1, 2, 3 and 4)will be made available for registered studentsStudents following the Philosophy of Neuroscience program. Also accessible to other studentsCourse material will be made available on Canvas