Cognitive Science in Europe

This report on the state of cognitive science research in the European Economic Community gives an exposition of its goals, methods and progress, and of its significance for technology. Subsequent to this exposition the intellectual resources devoted to cognitive science research within member nations of the EEC are surveyed. Specific proposals for the advancement of the discipline in Europe are also formulated. The first chapter is an overview of the major research themes that define contemporary cognitive science. The relation of these themes to current technological issues is also briefly discussed. Chapter two treats four principal axes of cognitive science research in more detail and chapter three offers a discussion of neuroscientific approaches to cognitive science, intending to underline the distinction between cognitive science and artificial intelligence. §The next chapter highlights the study of man-machine interaction, while chapter five provides an inventory of cognitive science research units operating in member nations of the EEC. The final chapter summarizes the authors' assessment of the state of European cognitive science, cites some obstacles to its development, and formulates two proposals in response to these obstacles. AIMS AND ORGANISATION OF THE PRESENT REPORT This document is a report on the state of Cognitive Science research in the European Economic Community. Since Cognitive Science is a young discipline, we have taken part of our task to be an exposition of its goals, methods and progress, and of its significance for technology. Subsequent to this exposition we survey the intellectual resources devoted to Cognitive Science research within member nations of the EEC. Specific proposals for the advancement of the discipline in Europe are also formulated. In more detail, the six chapters comprising the report may be summarized as follows. -Chapter 1 (What is Cognitive Science?) is an overview of the major research themes that define contemporary Cognitive Science. The relation of these themes to current technological issues Is also briefly discussed. -Chapter 2 (Survey of cognitive competencies) treats four principal axes of Cognitive Science research In more detail. Our discussion Is at once theoretical and applied Inasmuch as we describe potential app lications of basic research to technological and societal issues. -Chapter 3 (Biological perspective on Cognitive Science) is a discussion of neuroscience approaches to Cognitive Science. This chapter is intended to under line the distinction between Cognitive Science and Artificial Intelligence. -Chapter 4 (Cognitive ergonomics) highlights the study of man-machine interaction. It may be usefully accompanied by FAST series N" 9: "Mismatch between machine representations and human concepts".