Philosophy Talk: How can we know what others are thinking? A critique of Simulation Theory as an explanation for Theory of Mind

How do we understand what others are thinking and communicating?  Do we merely simulate their mental states or “put ourselves in their shoes”?  Or do we need to invoke more mental skills?  Emily Kotow will argue for a fuller theory for understanding other minds – one that includes other cognitive behavioural tools and draws on research on infants and nonhuman animals.  Emily Kotow is a PhD student in philosophy at the University of Ottawa.  Her dissertation, in cognitive science, focuses on animal minds and perspective-taking.