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Academic Year 2005/2006

Animal Minds
PHIL 357 SP

Anecdotes about and interest in the courage, loyalty, ingenuity, compassion, and intelligence of non-human animals date back to the beginning of human interactions with them. Recently, however, philosophers and scientists have begun to examine the cognitive capacities of non-humans in more systematic ways. In this seminar we will examine the philosophical and scientific issues raised by recent studies in animal minds. In particular we will be interested in whether or not non-humans can be considered moral agents. In order to determine this, we will first have to analyze what constitutes agency and determine whether any non-humans are agents. We will then try to determine whether any non-human can express moral agency. Students will do research on one non-human animal species throughout the semester and attempt to develop hypothetical research protocols to determine whether non-humans act ethically.

MAJOR READINGS

Allen and Bekoff, SPECIES OF MIND (MIT, 1997) and work by Byrne, Dennett, DeWaal, Dretske, Hauser, Hayes, Heale, Povinelli, Shettleworth, Sterlny, and Whiten, among others.

EXAMINATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS

Seminar papers, presentations, and a final paper.

COURSE FORMAT: Seminar

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

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

Prerequisites: NONE Links to Web Resources For This Course.

Last Updated on MAR-30-2006

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