Philosophy of science of decision making - Angelica Kaufmann (Dec 19)

Angelica Kaufmann (Università degli Studi di Milano)

Dear All,   

You're cordially invited to the eighth installment of the Philosophy of Science of Decision Making seminar series.   

Speaker: Angelica Kaufmann (University of Milan)  

Title: “An empirical approach to studying joint commitment in animals”  

Date: 19 December 2025, 14:00 (CET / GMT+1)

Format: Online, in English  

Abstract: The ability to form joint commitments has been highlighted as a crucial factor stabilizing joint actions among humans, and thereby underpinning characteristically human forms of sociality. While similar abilities in animals may shed light on the evolution of joint commitment, they remain challenging to detect unambiguously. We revisit joint commitment in non-human animals, and suggest that progress in identifying homologous or analogous abilities has been hampered by the adoption of an approach approach which builds human-specific cognitive mechanisms into the definition of joint commitment. To move forward, we propose a framework which does not presuppose characteristically human forms of cognition, communication, or awareness. The framework specifies a series of criteria, each of which can be operationalised, investigated empirically, and must be met for joint commitment to be demonstrated. Our framework is sufficiently broad to include paradigmatic cases of joint action in humans as well as cases of joint commitment in non-human animals. This will enable us to identify mechanisms which humans share with other animals, as well as to home in on uniquely human mechanisms, as well as differences across species.  

Registration: If you would like to join this seminar and have not previously registered, please send an email to [email protected] with the subject line "PhilSciDec". Video links will be shared only with those who register at least 24 hrs in advance of the seminar.

Info: For more information about the seminar series, including future speakers and topics, please visit the website below.