"Theory of Mind" (ToM)
is one of the most important concepts to emerge from the study
of cognitive, developmental,
and comparative psychology in recent years. A theory of mind
is the ability to
understand that other people also have mental states such as thoughts,
desires
and beliefs about
the world. We can infer—from gestures, expressions, intonation, and
what
people say (or do
not say)—what others are thinking. Such inference is essential to
the conduct
everyday life in all
human social contexts. In this presentation Professor Mancing will
summarize
some of the most important
trends in the study of theory of mind and will explore some implications
for literary theory.
Specifically, he will address the following questions:
o What is the
role of ToM in human evolution?
o How and when
does a ToM develop in children?
o What would
it be like not to have a ToM?
o Do animals,
especially primates, have a ToM?
o What is the
relationship between ToM and sympathy and empathy?
o What is the
relationship between ToM and the imagination?
o What are the
implications of ToM for understanding language?
o How does ToM
relate to semiotics, pragmatics, poststructuralism?
o What are the
implications of ToM for reading literary texts?
o What does
ToM have to do with the way we understand literary characters, narrators,
and authors?
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Howard Mancing is
a well-known Cervantes scholar who in recent years has become interested
in
the relationships
between the study of literature and some of the latest advances in biology
and
cognitive science.
He is currently at work on a book on the subject.
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