What Is Cognitive Science? (Bradford Books) (Paperback)

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Editorial Reviews

Review

"This important book accomplishes a remarkable feat. It lucidly articulates and critically examines the shared assumptions that define the field of cognitive science at a time when many have come to suspect that cognitive science is a field in name only. This is the book on the foundations of cognitive science."
—Owen Flanagan, Professor of Philosophy, Duke University

Product Description

In this richly detailed analysis, Barbara Von Eckardt lays the foundations for understanding what it means to be a cognitive scientist. She characterizes the basic assumptions that define the cognitive science approach and systematically sorts out a host of recent and the controversies surrounding them.

Von Eckardt takes issue with those who argue that there is no agreed-upon research paradigm and agreed-upon set of assumptions or methods in cognitive science, and with those who believe that the field should not be so committed. She argues that there is indeed a framework of shared commitments that includes basic questions guiding research, substantive assumptions constraining how those questions are to be answered, and methodological assumptions about how to find those answers.

A Bradford Book

Product Details

• Paperback: 477 pages
• Publisher: The MIT Press (March 2, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 026272023X
• ISBN-13: 978-0262720236
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6.1 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,673,159 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3.0 out of 5 stars Thought provoking but tedious., January 10, 2002

By A Customer

Von Eckardt presents many important ideas to consider about the nature of cognitive science as a field, but once you get past the introduction of these ideas, the discussion of them is quite tedious. Chapter 1 is a sufficient treatment for most readers. Additionally, in her focus on "adult, normal, typical cognition," von Eckardt ignores much of the scope of cognitive science in her treatment.