--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I do think that an understanding of…" description: "\"I do think that an understanding of contemporary work in the cognitive sciences has a profound effect on how one views the workings of the mind. It doe..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fc1/hilary-kornblith-11063_cognitive_i-do-think-that-an-understanding-of-cont_1300772.jpg" --- # I do think that an understanding of contemporary work in… ![“I do think that an understanding of contemporary work in the cognitive sciences has a profound effect on how one views the workings of the mind. It doesn't work the way we pretheoretically think it does. Such an understanding, of course, should have a large effect on one's views in philosophy of…” quote by Hilary Kornblith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fc1/hilary-kornblith-11063_cognitive_i-do-think-that-an-understanding-of-cont_1300772.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fc1/hilary-kornblith-11063_cognitive_i-do-think-that-an-understanding-of-cont_1300772.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fc1/hilary-kornblith-11063_cognitive_i-do-think-that-an-understanding-of-cont_1300772.jpg) > “I do think that an understanding of contemporary work in the cognitive sciences has a profound effect on how one views the workings of the mind. It doesn't work the way we pretheoretically think it does. Such an understanding, of course, should have a large effect on one's views in philosophy of mind, but also in epistemology.” [Hilary Kornblith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hilary-kornblith/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Contemporary cognitive science reshapes our mental models, challenging naive assumptions and influencing philosophy of mind and epistemology. **In simple terms:** Modern brain science changes how we think about mind and knowledge. Key Takeaway Update your philosophical views with current science. Themes philosophy of mind epistemology cognitive science critical thinking Mood curious analytical thoughtful Type academic reflective informative When to use this quote - academic research - teaching - public discourse - policy making - personal reflection Key Concepts Neuroscience conceptual analysis theory of mind Questions to Reflect On - How does new brain research alter your view of consciousness? - What epistemic limits arise from current cognitive models? A Different Perspective Science may not fully capture subjective experience, limiting its philosophical reach. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Cognitive science](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cognitive-science/) [Epistemology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/epistemology/) [Learning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/learning/) [Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mind/) [Philosophy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philosophy/) [Philosophy of Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philosophy-of-mind/) [Profound](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/profound/) [Psychology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/psychology/) [Science](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/science/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Understanding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/understanding/) ## Related quotes > [Work on causal theories of knowledge - early work by Armstrong, and Dretske, and Goldman - seemed far more satisfying. As I started to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hilary-kornblith/work-on-causal-theories-of-knowledge-early-work-by-armstrong-and/) [Hilary Kornblith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hilary-kornblith/) > [Knowledge by itself does not give understanding. Nor is understanding increased by an increase of knowledge alone. Understanding depends upon the relation of knowledge…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/g-i-gurdjieff/knowledge-by-itself-does-not-give-understanding-nor-is-understanding/) [G. I. Gurdjieff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/g-i-gurdjieff/) > [17th century philosophers were not in a position to understand the mind as well as we can today, since the advent of experimental methods…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hilary-kornblith/17th-century-philosophers-were-not-in-a-position-to-understand-the/) [Hilary Kornblith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hilary-kornblith/) > [I don't think that understanding produces change. Learning produces change.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-bandler/i-don-t-think-that-understanding-produces-change-learning-produces/) [Richard Bandler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-bandler/) > [I think that consciousness has always been the most important topic in the philosophy of mind, and one of the most important topics in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-chalmers/i-think-that-consciousness-has-always-been-the-most-important-topic/) [David Chalmers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-chalmers/) > [There is no real philosophy until the mind turns around and examines itself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-durant/there-is-no-real-philosophy-until-the-mind-turns-around-and-examines/) [Will Durant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-durant/) > [By philosophy the mind of man comes to itself, and from henceforth rests on itself without foreign aid, and is completely master of itself,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-gottlieb-fichte/by-philosophy-the-mind-of-man-comes-to-itself-and-from-henceforth/) [Johann Gottlieb Fichte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-gottlieb-fichte/) > [“Once intangled with the bondage of drugs, the philosophy was "mind over matter" this belief would help to keep my mind from an abusive…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tarran-carter/once-intangled-with-the-bondage-of-drugs-the-philosophy-was-mind-over/) Tarran Carter > [I think understanding is the way to gain perspective - and therefore can live among those hideous realities. You can live with them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-sebold/i-think-understanding-is-the-way-to-gain-perspective-and-therefore/) [Alice Sebold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-sebold/) > [More people have access to education today than ever before. But I cannot help but feel that the modern educational experience is not preparing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-kelly/more-people-have-access-to-education-today-than-ever-before-but-i/) [Matthew Kelly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-kelly/) > [I cannot articulate enough to express my dislike to people who think that understanding spoils your experience... How would they know?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marvin-minsky/i-cannot-articulate-enough-to-express-my-dislike-to-people-who-think/) [Marvin Minsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marvin-minsky/) > [I think that understanding man's place in nature is going to require integration of the psychedelic experience.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terence-mckenna/i-think-that-understanding-man-s-place-in-nature-is-going-to-require/) [Terence McKenna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terence-mckenna/) > [“No conceptually regimented and normatively informed theory of mental disorder can be devised without taking philosophy of mind seriously and knowing something about this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-graham/no-conceptually-regimented-and-normatively-informed-theory-of-mental/) George Graham > [I think we should have understanding and love and peace. I mean, peace and love has been my situation. You hear that in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ringo-starr/i-think-we-should-have-understanding-and-love-and-peace-i-mean-peace/) [Ringo Starr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ringo-starr/) > [Plotinus, when he thinks about mind or intellect, the Greek word is 'nous', he thinks about something that's very different, it's much more elevated…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-adamson/plotinus-when-he-thinks-about-mind-or-intellect-the-greek-word-is/) [Peter Adamson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-adamson/) ## More by Hilary Kornblith > [I think that when I first suggested the idea that knowledge should be viewed as a natural kind, many people thought this was just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hilary-kornblith/i-think-that-when-i-first-suggested-the-idea-that-knowledge-should-be/) [Hilary Kornblith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hilary-kornblith/) > [The fact that these scientific theories have a fine track record of successful prediction and explanation speaks for itself. (Which is not to say…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hilary-kornblith/the-fact-that-these-scientific-theories-have-a-fine-track-record-of/) [Hilary Kornblith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hilary-kornblith/) > [I am quite wedded to the view that epistemologists should concern themselves with knowledge rather than our concept of knowledge. The analogy I like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hilary-kornblith/i-am-quite-wedded-to-the-view-that-epistemologists-should-concern/) [Hilary Kornblith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hilary-kornblith/) > [The role of empirical work in informing our philosophical theories, as I see it, is not that it gives us a better view of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hilary-kornblith/the-role-of-empirical-work-in-informing-our-philosophical-theories-as/) [Hilary Kornblith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hilary-kornblith/) > [Here, as in so many other cases, however, it turns out that a very commonsensical idea looks far less attractive when one examines some…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hilary-kornblith/here-as-in-so-many-other-cases-however-it-turns-out-that-a-very/) [Hilary Kornblith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hilary-kornblith/) > [The kind of approach I take is different from much of experimental philosophy. Although the experimental philosophers and I are certainly in agreement about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hilary-kornblith/the-kind-of-approach-i-take-is-different-from-much-of-experimental/) [Hilary Kornblith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hilary-kornblith/) > [The fact that we have been able to develop a successful science, which issues in ever more accurate predictions and broader explanations, is the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hilary-kornblith/the-fact-that-we-have-been-able-to-develop-a-successful-science-which/) [Hilary Kornblith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hilary-kornblith/) > [By putting the first-person point of view in a naturalistic perspective, I believe that we may genuinely come to understand it for the first…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hilary-kornblith/by-putting-the-first-person-point-of-view-in-a-naturalistic/) [Hilary Kornblith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hilary-kornblith/) > [The worry that unreflective belief acquisition may be unreliable, after all, applies equally to reflective belief acquisition: it too may be unreliable. To my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hilary-kornblith/the-worry-that-unreflective-belief-acquisition-may-be-unreliable/) [Hilary Kornblith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hilary-kornblith/) > [When I got to college, I planned to be a math major, and, in addition to signing up for some math courses, I decided…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hilary-kornblith/when-i-got-to-college-i-planned-to-be-a-math-major-and-in-addition-to/) [Hilary Kornblith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hilary-kornblith/) > [When reflection is thereby demystified, I believe that the temptation to view human knowledge as different in kind from animal knowledge is undermined.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hilary-kornblith/when-reflection-is-thereby-demystified-i-believe-that-the-temptation/) [Hilary Kornblith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hilary-kornblith/) > [Internalist approaches to epistemology, I believe, have a great deal of intuitive appeal. Internalists believe that the features in virtue of which a belief…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hilary-kornblith/internalist-approaches-to-epistemology-i-believe-have-a-great-deal-of/) [Hilary Kornblith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hilary-kornblith/) > [What we need to do, however, is figure out what our best available theories of the mind suggest about epistemological issues, while we recognise…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hilary-kornblith/what-we-need-to-do-however-is-figure-out-what-our-best-available/) [Hilary Kornblith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hilary-kornblith/) > [I largely defer to the cognitive ethologists. I believe that the arguments that they make on this score are extremely persuasive. More than this,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hilary-kornblith/i-largely-defer-to-the-cognitive-ethologists-i-believe-that-the/) [Hilary Kornblith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hilary-kornblith/) > [Rather, although belief may be adequate for explaining the behavior of individual animals - an animal which believes that p will behave no differently…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hilary-kornblith/rather-although-belief-may-be-adequate-for-explaining-the-behavior-of/) [Hilary Kornblith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hilary-kornblith/) [Explore all 62 Hilary Kornblith quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hilary-kornblith/) ## More Cognitive quotes > [The first principle of cognitive therapy is that all your moods are created by your 'cognitions,' or thoughts. A cognition refers to the way…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-d-burns/the-first-principle-of-cognitive-therapy-is-that-all-your-moods-are/) [David D. 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And that overload wears out self-control.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-goleman/overloading-attention-shrinks-mental-control-life-immersed-in-digital/) [Daniel Goleman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-goleman/) > [Ultimately, of course, you must decide for yourself whether the subjective psychological effects created by your evolved cognitive biases reflect an objective reality, perhaps…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesse-bering/ultimately-of-course-you-must-decide-for-yourself-whether-the/) [Jesse Bering](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesse-bering/) > [Increased physical activity during the school day can help children's attention, classroom behavior, and achievement test scores. Meanwhile, the decline of play is closely…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darell-hammond/increased-physical-activity-during-the-school-day-can-help-children-s/) [Darell Hammond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darell-hammond/) > [“The thingy? You want me, the most intelligent cognitive processor in the known worlds, to say thingy?” “Yes,” I reaffirmed. “That is correct." Do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-zakour/the-thingy-you-want-me-the-most-intelligent-cognitive-processor-in/) [John Zakour](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-zakour/) > [The multiplication force of technology on cognitive differences is massive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jordan-peterson/the-multiplication-force-of-technology-on-cognitive-differences-is/) [Jordan Peterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jordan-peterson/) > [It is a vast, and pervasive, cognitive mistake to assume that people who agree with you (or disagree) do so on the same criteria…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/megan-mcardle/it-is-a-vast-and-pervasive-cognitive-mistake-to-assume-that-people/) [Megan McArdle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/megan-mcardle/) > [“If we have no form of cognitive learning, our knowledge is empty with the absence of words in our mind for us to speak…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saaif-alam/if-we-have-no-form-of-cognitive-learning-our-knowledge-is-empty-with/) [Saaif Alam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saaif-alam/) > [Research shows that for jobs of all kinds, emotional intelligence is twice as important an ingredient of outstanding performance as cognitive ability and technical…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-goleman/research-shows-that-for-jobs-of-all-kinds-emotional-intelligence-is/) [Daniel Goleman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-goleman/) > [“It appears to be a feature of System 1 that cognitive ease is associated with good feelings.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-kahneman/it-appears-to-be-a-feature-of-system-1-that-cognitive-ease-is/) [Daniel Kahneman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-kahneman/) > [Beauty adds to goodness a relation to the cognitive faculty: so that "good" means that which simply pleases the appetite; while the "beautiful" is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-aquinas/beauty-adds-to-goodness-a-relation-to-the-cognitive-faculty-so-that/) [Thomas Aquinas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-aquinas/) > [The emergence of a unified cognitive moment relies on the coordination of scattered mosaics of functionally specialized brain regions. Here we review the mechanisms…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francisco-varela/the-emergence-of-a-unified-cognitive-moment-relies-on-the/) [Francisco Varela](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francisco-varela/) Browse all 296 Cognitive quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I do think that an understanding of contemporary work in the cognitive sciences has a profound effect on how one views the workings of the mind. It doesn't work the way we pretheoretically think it does. 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