PHIL20640 Philosophy of Mind

Academic Year 2021/2022

What is the nature of the mind? How is the mind related to the body? Those are the two most central questions in the philosophy of mind. This course will provide an introduction to the main topics, theories, and arguments in this field. In the first part, we will address the mind-body problem. We will look at traditional answers, ranging from dualism to materialism, and at more recent views, such as functionalism, the computational theory of mind, and connectionism. In the second part, we will focus on questions concerning the nature of consciousness and intentionality (or 'aboutness'). The main question will be whether or not consciousness and intentionality can ever be explained or 'naturalized'. In the final part, we will address some selected further issues. They include the debate on social cognition and perspectives from Eastern philosophy.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

Students who successfully complete this course will have (1) a good grasp of the central issues in the contemporary philosophy of mind, (2) engaged critically with the most important views and arguments in this area, and (3) developed some independent thoughts and arguments on some of those issues.

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

24
Tutorial

7
Autonomous Student Learning

94
Total

125
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Lectures, tutorials, and class participation. 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Essay: 2000 words Week 8 n/a Graded No

60
Continuous Assessment: Submission of short discussion questions in the tutorials. Throughout the Trimester n/a Graded No

10
Essay: 1000 words Coursework (End of Trimester) n/a Graded No

30

Carry forward of passed components
No
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Autumn No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment

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