Doubt and Certainty in Science: A Biologist's Reflections on the Brain

Although most consider the beginning of cognitive science to be in 1959 with Chomsky's rebuttal of Skinner's Verbal Behavior, after reading "Doubt and Certainty in Science" I am fully convinced it began in 1950. This book contains transcripts of Young's Reith lecture. In the final lecture Young lays out a rough blueprint for cognitive science: "There are already distinct signs that in future there will be less sharp separation between physical, biological, and sociological science than there is now." As well, in anticipation of Chomsky's comments, he takes time to note that it's only a matter of time before behaviouralism is supplanted by a better theory. The beginning is a great summary of the bird's eye view of neuroscience as it was show more in 1950, before it became distinct from biology itself. And all interwoven into this is a discussion of models - a concept that forms the backbone of so many modern cognitive theories. I'm stunned that these lectures were prepared in 1949 and that they've received so little discussion in modern cognitive science programs. This book was a great way to re-centre myself on the trajectory cognitive science, remind me of what's important, and to motivate me to move the field forward in the small way that I am able to. show less