Workshop 'Debates on Neuroeconomics'
The CSCA Workshop 'Debates on Neuroeconomics' is held on Thursday, June 17, 2010. This Workshop can be attended separately from the rest of the Summer School. The Workshop consists of severaldebates that reflect currently ‘hot' issues in the field - like thesense and nonsense of neuroeconomics. We have invited renownedresearchers that will defend often opposing viewpoints. In addition,the Summer School students will participate in a parliamentary style debate defendingtheir position papers. We anticipate that this will be a highlyinteresting and stimulating event.
Participants in the Workshop are also invited to attend the honorary Frijda lecture by Ernst Fehr, which is held on Thursday, June 17, 20.00 - 21.00 hrs.
Programme:
09:15 - 09:30 | Tobias Kalenscher - University of Amsterdam, the Netherlands
Introduction
09:30 - 10:30 | Scott Huettel - Center for Cognitive Neuroscience, Duke University, USA
Foundations of Neuroeconomics: Moving Beyond Models
Neuroeconomics, defined functionally, adopts the methods of neuroscience to investigate the mechanisms of economic phenomena like decision making. This new interdiscipline has made clear contributions to our understanding of brain function; i.e., economic methods have aided neuroscience. However, the contributions of neuroeconomics to theories of decision making have been less obvious. The most strident critics contend not only that neuroeconomics has failed to influence economic thought in current practice, but also that neuroscience cannot refine or falsify economic models even in principle. Here, I will provide an overview of the arguments against neuroeconomics, will consider the very real constraints these arguments place on neuroeconomics research, and will delineate the positive contributions neuroscience can and will make for our understanding of economic phenomena.
10:30 - 11:30 | Armin Falk - Institute for Empirical Research in Economics, University of Bonn, Germany
Neuroeconomics: A complementary source of data - Examples for social preferences research
There is an ongoing debate about the usefulness of neuroeconomics (NE) for economics. In my talk I will not theorize about the relevance of NE. Instead I will provide examples that show how NE can inform economics by providing economically relevant and methodologically complementary insights. My examples come from social preferences research but the argument is more general.
11:30 - 12:00 | Break
12:00 - 13:00 | Tore Ellingsen - Department of Economics, Stockholm School of Economics, Norway
Predicting the Success of Neuroeconomics
Economists disagree about the usefulness of neuroeconomics. While such normative discussions are fascinating, many young scholars considering whether or not to enter the field will be more interested in the following positive question: What is the likelihood that I can have a successful career as a neuroeconomist? This talk aims at providing an answer to this question.
13:00 - 14:00 | Lunch
14:00 - 15:00 | Student 'Lagerhuisdebat'
Students defend their position papers in a parliamentary style debate.
Moderator: Richard Ridderinkhof (University of Amsterdam, the Netherlands)
15:00 - 15:30 | Break
15:30 - 16:30 | Panel discussion
Moderator: Eveline Crone (Leiden University, the Netherlands)
16:30 - 17:00 | Ernst Fehr - Institute for Empirical Research in Economics, University of Zurich, Switzerland
Closing comments
17:00 | Drinks