Interdisciplinary Studies in the Humanities

Sociology in the face of cognitive sciences; An interdisciplinary reflection

Document Type : Original Research Paper

Author

Leila Ardebili

Asistant Professor of Anthropology, Department of Science and Technology studies, Institute for Cultural, Social and Civilization Studies, Tehran, Iran

https://doi.org/10.22035/isih.2025.5256.5000
Abstract
In today’s rapidly evolving academic landscape, the emergence of new sciences necessitates a reevaluation of classic theories and concepts through an interdisciplinary lens. One notable field making waves is cognitive science, which offers compelling theories and insights into the workings of the mind and cognitive processes. This has prompted scholars interested in the interplay between cognition and culture to critically assess the contributions of cognitive studies to our understanding of social and cultural phenomena. Among the disciplines affected are the social sciences, particularly sociology. Over the past few decades, sociologists have sought to revise their foundational concepts and theories in light of findings from cognitive science, especially those from cognitive psychologists and neuroscientists. This has led to the establishment of a new interdisciplinary field known as cognitive sociology. However, like any emerging discipline, cognitive sociology grapples with internal tensions stemming from differing perspectives. This article aims to explore the historical approaches and traditions within this nascent field using an analytical-descriptive method. It will demonstrate how adopting a balanced perspective between strong and weak interpretations of the relationship between culture and cognition can foster a productive and synergistic dialogue between sociology and cognitive sciences, ultimately enriching the field of cognitive sociology.

Keywords

cognitive sciences
cognitive sociology
culture and cognition
inter-discursive tension

Subjects

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  • Receive Date 06 July 2024
  • Revise Date 23 October 2024
  • Accept Date 10 November 2024

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