Programme

The Course in Ethics, Cognitive Science, and Artificial Intelligence aims to provide students with a broad and interdisciplinary foundational education in the main philosophical and scientific issues concerning ethics, knowledge, nature, and cognitive processes, with particular attention to the growing role of artificial intelligence in the contemporary context. The course offers theoretical and methodological tools to understand and critically discuss the foundations, implications, and limits of scientific knowledge, integrating philosophical, scientific, and historical-epistemological perspectives.

This program is valid starting from the 2026–2027 academic year.

For students who have included the course ‘Ethics and Cognitive Sciences’ in their study plan: it is still possible to take this exam and have it officially recorded as ‘Ethics and Cognitive Sciences.’ It is sufficient to inform the instructor at the time of the exam session; there is no need to send the instructor an email.

Core Documentation

Steven Sloman, Philip Fernbach (2018), The Knowledge Illusion: Why We Never Think Alone, Penguin Publishing Group
John Bargh (2017), Before You Know It: The Unconscious Reasons We Do What We Do, Atria Books
Gerd Gigerenzer (2022), How to Stay Smart in a Smart World: Why Human Intelligence Still Beats Algorithms, The MIT Press

Attendance

Attendance: Attendance to the course is strongly recommended, but not mandatory. Although active participation in the lectures is one of the primary tools for effective learning and gaining a deep understanding of the topics covered, students who may not be able to attend regularly will still have the opportunity to catch up on the content through the materials provided and by reading the texts listed in the syllabus. Attendance facilitates interactive discussion and direct engagement with the instructor and fellow students, which are important opportunities to enrich the learning experience. Students who are unable to attend regularly are encouraged to keep in touch with the instructor for any clarifications and support for independent study

Type of evaluation

Oral exam with the possibility of intermediate tests on dates agreed with the instructor. The exam can be taken in Italian or English, at the student's choice. Assessment Criteria: Understanding of texts and key concepts: Ability to analyze and discuss the main concepts covered in the course, demonstrating a solid understanding of the texts and their implications. Participation in discussions: Active involvement in class discussions, showing interest and the ability to engage in critical reflection on the topics addressed during the course. Argumentation and coherence in responses: Ability to develop well-argued and coherent responses based on the texts read, with a clear presentation of one's ideas and the ability to connect theoretical concepts to broader reflections. Synthesis skills: Assessment of the ability to synthesize the main course topics during the oral exam, demonstrating a good understanding and critical analysis of the material covered.