Going Beyond the Here and Now - Counterfactual Simulation in Human Cognition

This course explores the concept of counterfactual simulation in human cognition, emphasizing its importance in causal judgments, explanations, and attributions of responsibility. The learning outcomes include understanding the three key ingredients for simulating counterfactual possibilities, applying the counterfactual simulation model (CSM) to capture intuitive understanding of the physical and psychological world, and predicting causal judgments in various scenarios. The course teaches the skills of developing a generative mental model, performing counterfactual interventions, and simulating consequences. The teaching method involves a seminar format led by an expert in psychology, combining interdisciplinary research findings with computational modeling and experimental studies. The intended audience includes individuals interested in psychology, cognitive science, philosophy, and related fields, seeking to deepen their understanding of how humans make sense of the world through counterfactual thinking.