Philosophical Issues in Behavioural Science
From Individual to Collaborative Action
--- lecturer: s.butterfill@warwick.ac.uk
A course at the University of Warwick.
Before deciding whether to take this course
Essays, readings and tasks for seminars
About This Course
A quick (<3 minute) introduction in case you are thinking about whether to take it.
If the video above doesn’t work, you could try watching it on streams or on youtube.
Changes for 2022-3
The information below is the for the 2021-22 version of this course.
I have left it here for now so that you can see what the course will be like if you are thinking about taking it.
For 2022-3 some things are different:
- course runs in Autumn Term
- all lectures in person (no recordings)
- no weekly writing tasks for the seminars (no yyrama)
- change of assessment methods (no 500-word essays)
- some of the content of the lectures will change
Week-by-Week Guide
Here’s everything you need to do each week, organised by the nine weeks of the course. (There is no week 6 because that is reading week.)
Weeks are listed in reverse order.
Week 10: The Interface Problem
Commencing Monday 14th March 2022
Seminar Task on yyrama
- Complete and submit your mini-essay at least 24 hours before your seminar in Week 10.
- Complete and submit your peer review at least 24 hours before your seminar in Week 10.
- Check your work for any feedback immediately before the seminar.
- Re-read your work before the seminar (so you can answer questions about it).
- Ensure you can refer back to what you submitted during the seminar.
Note that the seminar tasks are typically on topics from previous weeks’ lectures.
(If you need to attend a different seminar this week, please join that seminar group on yyrama so that your work is read by the right tutor and your tutor knows which seminar to discuss it in.)
Not sure what to do? Check this guide to the seminar tasks (this is the same each week).
Attend a Seminar
If you are attending a seminar online, you can find the link you need to join it here.
Recorded Lectures
- Make use of the lecture 09 recordings and notes.
Not sure what to do with the lectures? Check this guide to using lectures.
Live Whole-Class Lecture
- Add messages with your questions before the meeting in ‘Ask a Question’ section of the online handouts.
- Attend the lecture on Thursday at 15.05 (in person or, if you need to, remotely via teams [link to join])
If you miss the meeting, there may be a recording of it in the lecture materials. (No promises: there might be occasional issues which prevent or corrupt a recording.)
Assessed work to submit
There is no assessed work due this week, I think. (But to be sure, please check on tabula as this is the only authoritative source for deadlines.)
Week 09: Team Reasoning
Commencing Sunday 6th March 2022
Seminar Task on yyrama
- Complete and submit your mini-essay at least 24 hours before your seminar in Week 09.
- Complete and submit your peer review at least 24 hours before your seminar in Week 09.
- Check your work for any feedback immediately before the seminar.
- Re-read your work before the seminar (so you can answer questions about it).
- Ensure you can refer back to what you submitted during the seminar.
Note that the seminar tasks are typically on topics from previous weeks’ lectures.
(If you need to attend a different seminar this week, please join that seminar group on yyrama so that your work is read by the right tutor and your tutor knows which seminar to discuss it in.)
Not sure what to do? Check this guide to the seminar tasks (this is the same each week).
Attend a Seminar
If you are attending a seminar online, you can find the link you need to join it here.
Recorded Lectures
- Make use of the lecture 08 recordings and notes.
Not sure what to do with the lectures? Check this guide to using lectures.
Live Whole-Class Lecture
- Add messages with your questions before the meeting in ‘Ask a Question’ section of the online handouts.
- Attend the lecture on Thursday at 15.05 (in person or, if you need to, remotely via teams [link to join])
If you miss the meeting, there may be a recording of it in the lecture materials. (No promises: there might be occasional issues which prevent or corrupt a recording.)
Assessed work to submit
- I think your third in-term assessment is due to be submitted on Tabula this week.
- Check the deadline on tabula. (Tabula is the only authoritative source for deadlines.)
- Submit your work using tabula.
Please remember that all assessed work will only be marked if you submit it using tabula.
Week 08: Game Theory
Commencing Monday 28th February 2022
Seminar Task on yyrama
- Complete and submit your mini-essay at least 24 hours before your seminar in Week 08.
- Complete and submit your peer review at least 24 hours before your seminar in Week 08.
- Check your work for any feedback immediately before the seminar.
- Re-read your work before the seminar (so you can answer questions about it).
- Ensure you can refer back to what you submitted during the seminar.
Note that the seminar tasks are typically on topics from previous weeks’ lectures.
(If you need to attend a different seminar this week, please join that seminar group on yyrama so that your work is read by the right tutor and your tutor knows which seminar to discuss it in.)
Not sure what to do? Check this guide to the seminar tasks (this is the same each week).
Attend a Seminar
If you are attending a seminar online, you can find the link you need to join it here.
Recorded Lectures
- Make use of the lecture 07 recordings and notes.
Not sure what to do with the lectures? Check this guide to using lectures.
Live Whole-Class Lecture
- Add messages with your questions before the meeting in ‘Ask a Question’ section of the online handouts.
- Attend the lecture on Thursday at 15.05 (in person or, if you need to, remotely via teams [link to join])
If you miss the meeting, there may be a recording of it in the lecture materials. (No promises: there might be occasional issues which prevent or corrupt a recording.)
Assessed work to submit
- I think your third in-term assessment might be due on Tabula next week.
- Check the deadline on tabula. (Tabula is the only authoritative source for deadlines.)
- Submit your work using tabula.
Please remember that all assessed work will only be marked if you submit it using tabula.
Week 07: Decision Theory
Commencing Monday 21st February 2022
Seminar Task on yyrama
- Complete and submit your mini-essay at least 24 hours before your seminar in Week 07.
- Complete and submit your peer review at least 24 hours before your seminar in Week 07.
- Check your work for any feedback immediately before the seminar.
- Re-read your work before the seminar (so you can answer questions about it).
- Ensure you can refer back to what you submitted during the seminar.
Note that the seminar tasks are typically on topics from previous weeks’ lectures.
(If you need to attend a different seminar this week, please join that seminar group on yyrama so that your work is read by the right tutor and your tutor knows which seminar to discuss it in.)
Not sure what to do? Check this guide to the seminar tasks (this is the same each week).
Attend a Seminar
If you are attending a seminar online, you can find the link you need to join it here.
Recorded Lectures
- Make use of the lecture 06 recordings and notes.
Not sure what to do with the lectures? Check this guide to using lectures.
Live Whole-Class Lecture
- Add messages with your questions before the meeting in ‘Ask a Question’ section of the online handouts.
- Attend the lecture on Thursday at 15.05 (in person or, if you need to, remotely via teams [link to join])
If you miss the meeting, there may be a recording of it in the lecture materials. (No promises: there might be occasional issues which prevent or corrupt a recording.)
Assessed work to submit
There is no assessed work due this week, I think. (But to be sure, please check on tabula as this is the only authoritative source for deadlines.)
Week 05: Joint Action
Commencing Monday 7th February 2022
Seminar Task on yyrama
- Complete and submit your mini-essay at least 24 hours before your seminar in Week 05.
- Complete and submit your peer review at least 24 hours before your seminar in Week 05.
- Check your work for any feedback immediately before the seminar.
- Re-read your work before the seminar (so you can answer questions about it).
- Ensure you can refer back to what you submitted during the seminar.
Note that the seminar tasks are typically on topics from previous weeks’ lectures.
(If you need to attend a different seminar this week, please join that seminar group on yyrama so that your work is read by the right tutor and your tutor knows which seminar to discuss it in.)
Not sure what to do? Check this guide to the seminar tasks (this is the same each week).
Attend a Seminar
If you are attending a seminar online, you can find the link you need to join it here.
Recorded Lectures
- Make use of the lecture 05 recordings and notes.
Not sure what to do with the lectures? Check this guide to using lectures.
Live Whole-Class Lecture
- Add messages with your questions before the meeting in ‘Ask a Question’ section of the online handouts.
- Attend the lecture on Thursday at 15.05 (in person or, if you need to, remotely via teams [link to join])
If you miss the meeting, there may be a recording of it in the lecture materials. (No promises: there might be occasional issues which prevent or corrupt a recording.)
Assessed work to submit
- I think your second in-term assessment might be due on Tabula next week.
- Check the deadline on tabula. (Tabula is the only authoritative source for deadlines.)
- Submit your work using tabula.
Please remember that all assessed work will only be marked if you submit it using tabula.
Week 04: Joint Action
Commencing Monday 31st January 2022
Seminar Task on yyrama
- Complete and submit your mini-essay at least 24 hours before your seminar in Week 04.
- Complete and submit your peer review at least 24 hours before your seminar in Week 04.
- Check your work for any feedback immediately before the seminar.
- Re-read your work before the seminar (so you can answer questions about it).
- Ensure you can refer back to what you submitted during the seminar.
Note that the seminar tasks are typically on topics from previous weeks’ lectures.
(If you need to attend a different seminar this week, please join that seminar group on yyrama so that your work is read by the right tutor and your tutor knows which seminar to discuss it in.)
Not sure what to do? Check this guide to the seminar tasks (this is the same each week).
Attend a Seminar
If you are attending a seminar online, you can find the link you need to join it here.
Recorded Lectures
- Make use of the lecture 04 recordings and notes.
Not sure what to do with the lectures? Check this guide to using lectures.
Live Whole-Class Lecture
- Add messages with your questions before the meeting in ‘Ask a Question’ section of the online handouts.
- Attend the lecture on Thursday at 15.05 (in person or, if you need to, remotely via teams [link to join])
If you miss the meeting, there may be a recording of it in the lecture materials. (No promises: there might be occasional issues which prevent or corrupt a recording.)
Assessed work to submit
- I think your first in-term assessment is due to be submitted on Tabula this week.
- Check the deadline on tabula. (Tabula is the only authoritative source for deadlines.)
- Submit your work using tabula.
Please remember that all assessed work will only be marked if you submit it using tabula.
Week 03: Motor Representation and the Problem of Action
Commencing Monday 24th January 2022
Seminar Task on yyrama
- Complete and submit your mini-essay at least 24 hours before your seminar in Week 03.
- Complete and submit your peer review at least 24 hours before your seminar in Week 03.
- Check your work for any feedback immediately before the seminar.
- Re-read your work before the seminar (so you can answer questions about it).
- Ensure you can refer back to what you submitted during the seminar.
Note that the seminar tasks are typically on topics from previous weeks’ lectures.
(If you need to attend a different seminar this week, please join that seminar group on yyrama so that your work is read by the right tutor and your tutor knows which seminar to discuss it in.)
Not sure what to do? Check this guide to the seminar tasks (this is the same each week).
Attend a Seminar
If you are attending a seminar online, you can find the link you need to join it here.
Recorded Lectures
- Make use of the lecture 03 recordings and notes.
Not sure what to do with the lectures? Check this guide to using lectures.
Live Whole-Class Lecture
- Add messages with your questions before the meeting in ‘Ask a Question’ section of the online handouts.
- Attend the lecture on Thursday at 15.05 (in person or, if you need to, remotely via teams [link to join])
If you miss the meeting, there may be a recording of it in the lecture materials. (No promises: there might be occasional issues which prevent or corrupt a recording.)
Assessed work to submit
- I think your first in-term assessment might be due on Tabula next week.
- Check the deadline on tabula. (Tabula is the only authoritative source for deadlines.)
- Submit your work using tabula.
Please remember that all assessed work will only be marked if you submit it using tabula.
Week 02: The Problem of Action and Habitual Processes
Commencing Monday 10th January 2022
Seminar Task on yyrama
- Complete and submit your mini-essay at least 24 hours before your seminar in Week 02.
- Complete and submit your peer review at least 24 hours before your seminar in Week 02.
- Check your work for any feedback immediately before the seminar.
- Re-read your work before the seminar (so you can answer questions about it).
- Ensure you can refer back to what you submitted during the seminar.
Note that the seminar tasks are typically on topics from previous weeks’ lectures.
(If you need to attend a different seminar this week, please join that seminar group on yyrama so that your work is read by the right tutor and your tutor knows which seminar to discuss it in.)
Not sure what to do? Check this guide to the seminar tasks (this is the same each week).
Attend a Seminar
If you are attending a seminar online, you can find the link you need to join it here.
Recorded Lectures
- Make use of the lecture 02 recordings and notes.
Not sure what to do with the lectures? Check this guide to using lectures.
Live Whole-Class Lecture
- Add messages with your questions before the meeting in ‘Ask a Question’ section of the online handouts.
- Attend the lecture on Thursday at 15.05 (in person or, if you need to, remotely via teams [link to join])
If you miss the meeting, there may be a recording of it in the lecture materials. (No promises: there might be occasional issues which prevent or corrupt a recording.)
Assessed work to submit
There is no assessed work due this week, I think. (But to be sure, please check on tabula as this is the only authoritative source for deadlines.)
Week 01: Instrumental Action
Commencing Monday 10th January 2022
Sign Ups
- sign up for a weekly seminar group on tabula
- note the name of your seminar leader on the seminar you signed up for on tabula, and the time of your seminar
- register yourself on yyrama
- tell yyrama which seminar group you are in (and please remember update yyrama if you change seminar group)
Please register with your university email and the name your seminar tutor will know you by (so that they will know what work you have done each week).
Please make a note of your yyrama password: if you lose them, there’s no way to recover them.
Seminar Task on yyrama
There is no seminar in Week 01.
You may want to start the seminar task for the following week, which will be due at least 24 hours before your seminar. (You can review the list of seminar tasks here.)
Recorded Lectures
- Make use of the lecture 01 recordings and notes.
Not sure what to do with the lectures? Check this guide to using lectures.
Live Whole-Class Lecture
- Add messages with your questions before the meeting in ‘Ask a Question’ section of the online handouts.
- Attend the lecture on Thursday at 15.05 (in person or, if you need to, remotely via teams [link to join])
If you miss the meeting, there may be a recording of it in the lecture materials. (No promises: there might be occasional issues which prevent or corrupt a recording.)
Assessed work to submit
There is no assessed work due this week, I think. (But to be sure, please check on tabula as this is the only authoritative source for deadlines.)
Not what you were looking for?
There is also ...
- lecture recordings and notes;
- an index of weeks;
- links for online seminars;
- a list of seminar tasks on yyrama.
... or go to
- Week 01: Instrumental Action
(10th Jan)
- Week 02: The Problem of Action and Habitual Processes
(10th Jan)
- Week 03: Motor Representation and the Problem of Action
(24th Jan)
- Week 04: Joint Action
(31st Jan)
- Week 05: Joint Action
(7th Feb)
- Week 07: Decision Theory
(21st Feb)
- Week 08: Game Theory
(28th Feb)
- Week 09: Team Reasoning
(6th Mar)
- Week 10: The Interface Problem
(14th Mar)