A Summary
The Study of the Mind
Cognitive science is the interdisciplinary study of the mind and how it works. It explores how we think, learn, remember, speak, and make decisions.
To understand these complex processes, cognitive science brings together insights from psychology, neuroscience, computer science, linguistics, philosophy, and anthropology. By combining these fields, it helps us better understand human intelligence—and even build smart technologies that mimic how we think.
In short, cognitive science is all about exploring the inner workings of the mind, both human and artificial.
What I cannot build. I do not understand.
Richard Feynman
The Brain as a Computer
The field of cognitive science grew from the establishment of computer
science as cognitive scientists reasoned the mind is a computing device. That is, thinking and mental processes such as memory, learning, and attention could be understood as a series of computations. Hence, scientists began trying to mimic human cognition through building their own.
Subfields
Computer Science
Computer Science
Computer Science
Computer science helps us model how the mind works using algorithms, AI, and machine learning. It also powers tools that simulate or study human thinking.
Neuroscience
Computer Science
Computer Science
Neuroscience looks at the brain’s structure and activity to understand how it gives rise to thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. It connects the physical brain to the functions of the mind.
Linguistics
Computer Science
Linguistics
Linguistics studies language—how we understand, produce, and learn it. It reveals how language shapes thought and how the brain processes communication.
Philosophy
Computer Science
Linguistics
Philosophy asks big questions: What is consciousness? How do we know what we know? It pushes cognitive science to define and rethink ideas about the mind.
Looking to the Future: AI
Cognitive science and artificial intelligence (AI) have always been closely connected. While cognitive science seeks to understand how the mind works, AI tries to build systems that mimic human thought. Together, they explore questions like: Can machines reason? Can they learn language the way humans do? What does it mean to “understand” something?
As AI advances, cognitive scientists are using it as both a tool and a subject of study. AI models help researchers simulate thinking, test cognitive theories, and explore the limits of machine learning. At the same time, cognitive science offers valuable insights into how to make AI more human-like, ethical, and explainable.
Looking ahead, research is shifting toward understanding consciousness, building responsible AI systems, and exploring how humans and intelligent machines can work and learn together. The future of cognitive science is deeply tied to the technologies shaping our world.
