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Academic Year 2003/2004

Philosophy of Mind
PHIL 286 SP

This course will be devoted to an examination of several questions about the nature of the mind, such as the relationship between mind and body, the ontological status of the mind and the nature of our access to mental states. Twentieth-century approaches to the mind, including behaviorism, reductive and eliminative materialism, functionalism, artificial intelligence and cognitive science, will be examined against a backdrop of Cartesian assumptions about the nature of the mind and our ways of knowing it.

MAJOR READINGS

Readings mainly from contemporary sources.

EXAMINATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS

Take-home examinations, short (2-3 page) papers weekly.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS and/or COMMENTS

Students will normally be required to have taken one previous course in philosophy, except for majors in PSYC, NS&B, SISP or COMP. Some background in philosophical issues and argumentation will be assumed. Students who are interested in cognitive science and related areas in psychology, linguistics and computer science, but have no background in philosophy, may take the course, but should be prepared to work at a relatively advanced level.

COURSE FORMAT: Lecture/Discussion

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Level: UGRD    Credit: 1    Gen Ed Area Dept: NONE    Grading Mode: Graded   

Prerequisites: NONE Links to Web Resources For This Course.

Last Updated on MAR-19-2004

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