Gualtiero Piccinini 🇺🇦
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Florence G. Kline Prof & Curators’ Distinguished Prof at University of Missouri. Barwise Prize winner. Author, Neurocognitive Mechanisms (OUP 2020). Resist fascism, address climate change, support Ukraine!
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Why you should stop using the label "cognitive science" and adopt "mind sciences" instead (or something like that): https://philosophyofbrains.com/2025/11/08/from-cognitive-science-to-the-mind-sciences.aspx
Therefore, computational functionalism fails and one of the following holds: biological naturalism, a nonbiological yet noncomputational version of functionalism, or a view according to which consciousness requires specific (macro)physical qualities.
For now I've just posted it on Academia.edu. If you want to see it but lack access, let me know.
My commentary on Anil Seth's forthcoming BBS target article defending biological naturalism has been accepted. It's entitled "The Neurobiophysical Substrate of Consciousness":
Abstract: I argue that creature consciousness depends on specific neurobiophysical properties that constitute the medium for phenomenally conscious states. Such properties are not medium flexible in the way required by computational functionalism. ...
I recently learned that Robert "Bob" Gordon, of simulation theory fame, passed away on April 13, 2025, at the age of 92. A celebration of his life will occur on Sunday, September 28, 2025 at 5:00 – 7:00 pm Central at the Ethical Society of St. Louis.
Bob continued to publish in philosophy into his 80s. Everything I read by him is insightful, original, and worth reading and thinking about.
I learned a lot from Bob. I will always remember his warmth, kindness, and insight.
A substantively revised version of the SEP entry on Computation in Physical Systems, with several updates, new references, and other improvements, just came live.
https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/computation-physicalsystems/
I'm teaching a course on consciousness and I'd like to cover the role of memory for consciousness, especially how some sort of memory buffer is needed to stabilize experiences long enough for us to experience it and report on them. Does anyone know of any good literature on this?
Gill Eapen interviewed me on some of my recent work -- integrating psych and neuro, classical vs nonclassical LOT, egalitarian composition and realization, and knowing that as knowing how -- for the podcast Scientific Sense. Links in the comments.
Audio: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/prof-gualtiero-piccinini-professor-of-philosophy-at/id1515026470?i=1000714817027
Video: https://youtu.be/eqebmqkVK5M
The volume Neurocognitive Foundations of Mind is in press at Routledge, expected out in Sep of this year. Thanks to the authors for their hard work.
This volume argues that cognitive neuroscience is maturing into an integrated, interdisciplinary science that is transforming our understanding of the mind, focusing on a representative range of basic concepts such as explanation, representation, computation, inference, language, thought, intention, and emotion.
This volume argues that cognitive neuroscience is maturing into an integrated, interdisciplinary science that is transforming our understanding of the mind, focusing on a representative range of basic concepts such as explanation, representation, computation, inference, language, thought, intention, and emotion.
My main idea for 2026 is to run a virtual summer school for junior scholars on Foundations of the Mind Sciences, inviting scholars with some of the most innovative ideas to present. Being virtual would keep it more accessible and limit carbon footprint. In subsequent years, I'm considering running similar virtual summer schools in other areas of philosophy. If you have feedback or other suggestions you'd like to share, let me know.
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