Philosophy Department Colloquium: Dr. Adina Roskies PhD
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55 Park Place Building, 1802, Fulton
"Inference in Neuroimaging and the Problem of Cognitive Ontology" Distinguished Professor, Department of Philosophy and Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of California, Santa Barbara Abstract: Neuroimaging studies attempt to assign function to brain regions. The neuroscientific practice of assigning functions to active brain areas involves two general patterns of inference, so-called “forward inference” and “reverse inference”. In this talk, I will evaluate these inferential patterns. Neuroscientists have recognized and discussed the logical problems attending reverse inference, but have viewed forward inference as straightforward. Here I argue that reverse inference is overly maligned, whereas forward inference is even more problematic than previously recognized. Both forms of inference are closely tied to the problem of cognitive ontology. I situate this problem in contemporary views of philosophy of neuroscience, and suggest avenues to address these problems. TReNDs Center 55 Park Place, 18th floor, Room 1802