| Unit name | Philosophy of Mind |
|---|---|
| Unit code | PHIL30904 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | H/6 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12) |
| Unit director | Dr. Finn Spicer |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Pre-requisites |
PHIL20046 Realism and Normativity |
| Co-requisites |
None |
| School/department | Department of Philosophy |
| Faculty | Faculty of Arts |
What is the correct metaphysical account of the mind? What is consciousness? What is intentionality? How are these two phenomenon related? Do we need computational theory and dynamical systems theory to account for the mind&?s representational capacity? How are perception and cognition related? The aim of this course is to discuss major themes in contemporary philosophy of mind meant to address these questions.
Aims:
The aim of this course is to address a group of closely related questions: What is consciousness? What is intentionality? How are these two phenomenon related? Do we need computational theory and dynamical systems theory to account for the mind’s representational capacity? How are perception and cognition related? Students will thereby develop a good understanding of some of the most important current debates in the Philosophy of Mind.
By the end this module students will have developed a good understanding of the issues relating to central current debates in the Philosophy of Mind, in particular [1] the mind/ brain identity thesis; [2] functionalist theories of the mind; [3] theories of consciousness; and [4] theories of intentionality.
10x Lectures and 10x seminars.
Closed 3 hour exam.
D. Chalmers, Philosophy of Mind: classical and contemporary readings (OUP 2002)
Braddon-Mitchell and Jackson, Philosophy of Mind and Cognition, 2nd ed (Blackwell 2007)
Clark, Mindware (OUP 2001)
J. Searle, Intentionality (CUP 1983) The Oxford Handbook of Philosophy of Mind (OUP 2009)
