PHIL341 - Consciousness and Naturalization

[ Wesleyan Home Page ] [ WesMaps Home Page ] [ WesMaps Archive ] [ Course Search ] [ Course Search by CID ]
Academic Year 2001/2002

Consciousness and Naturalization
PHIL 341 FA

Crosslistings:
PHIL 541

One of the most important topics in philosophy of mind is that of whether the characteristic features of the mind, such as consciousness, meaning and the first-person perspective, can be EXPLAINED in terms of the natural sciences. Recent debate has centered on two questions: 1) whether these features of the mind can be explained in naturalistic terms, and 2) whether we should take the METAPHYSICAL view that the mind is nothing but a complex physical system. In this course we will attempt to clarify what is at stake in contemporary debates over naturalism. We will examine several case studies in psychological explanation (psychophysics, color vision, computational psychology, the binding problem) to see just what is and is not explained here, and whether there is, as some philosophers have claimed, an "explanatory gap" between mind and world. We will then examine the implications of recent work in philosophy of science for the debate in philosophy of mind: e.g., why do philosophers of mind seem trapped in the reductionist philosophy of science that was popular in the 1950's while philosophers of science have largely rejected it? Finally, we will examine the metaphysical implications of any explanatory gap between mind and world.

NOTE: This course will involve reading manuscript material by the instructor, and thus involve active participation in and critique of cutting-edge research in philosophy of mind.

MAJOR READINGS

Short readings from contemporary writers in philosophy of mind such as Dretske, Fodor, Flanagan, Jackson, Chalmers and Nagel, and one book-length manuscript by Horst.

EXAMINATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS

Weekly written synopses of readings. One term paper. Regular participation in class discussions.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS and/or COMMENTS

This class is offered by permission of instructor. Ideally, the class will have a mix of advanced Philosophy and SISP majors plus students who are advanced majors in fields like Psychology or Neuroscience, which deal with the details of cognitive science. Philosophy majors should ideally have taken PHIL202 and a course in either Philosophy of Mind or Philosophy of Science. Psychology or Neuroscience majors should be at an advanced stage of their major program.

Unless preregistered students attend the first class meeting or communicate directly with the instructor prior to the first class, they will be dropped from the class list. NOTE: Students must still submit a completed Drop/Add form to the Registrar's Office.

COURSE FORMAT: Seminar

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Level: UGRD Credit: 1 Gen Ed Area Dept: HA PHIL Grading Mode: Student Option

Prerequisites: NONE

SECTION 01

Instructor(s): Horst,Steven W.

Times: ..T.R.. 01:10PM-02:30PM; Location: DAC300

Reserved Seats: (Total Limit: 12)

SR. major: Jr. major:

SR. non-major: Jr. non-major: SO: FR:

Special Attributes:

Permission: Permission of Instructor Required

Links to Web Resources For This Course.

Last Updated on MAR-19-2002