SE4313: Philosophy of Mind
| School | Philosophy |
| Department Code | ENCAP |
| Module Code | SE4313 |
| External Subject Code | 100337 |
| Number of Credits | 20 |
| Level | L6 |
| Language of Delivery | English |
| Module Leader | null null null |
| Semester | Double Semester |
| Academic Year | 2015/6 |
Outline Description of Module
This double module is concerned with problems in the philosophy of mind. We will examine two main areas of current interest: general pictures of the mind (different solutions to the mind-body problem); and the nature of beliefs and the status of folk psychology (our common sense picture of the mind).
On completion of the module a student should be able to
- Construct, present and justify arguments in the Philosophy of Mind.
- Students will become fully cognisant of the central issues and texts in the philosophy of mind.
How the module will be delivered
The module will be delivered weekly lectures and fortnightly seminars. For coursework students will be required to write one course work essay.
Skills that will be practised and developed
Discipline Specific Skills
· An ability to analyse and construct philosophical arguments
· An ability to deploy appropriate philosophical vocabulary
· An ability to use appropriately and independently a variety of textual sources
Transferable Skills
· An ability to analyse, construct and assess arguments
· An ability to communicate clearly and accurately in written work
· An ability to form independent views and argue for them
How the module will be assessed
The course will be assessed by a ninety-minute unseen written examination to be sat in the Autumn exam period and one essay of 2,000 words to be submitted in the Spring exam period.
This module is assessed according to the Marking Criteria set out in the Philosophy Course Guide. There are otherwise no academic or competence standards which limit the availability of adjustments or alternative assessments for students with disabilities.
Assessment Breakdown
| Type | % | Title | Duration(hrs) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Written Assessment | 50 | Essay | N/A |
| Exam - Autumn Semester | 50 | Philosophy Of Mind | 1.5 |
Syllabus content
Introduction: some background
Behaviourism
Identity Theory: An introduction.
Machine Functionalism
Empirical and Common Sense Functionalism
Reductive and Non-Reductive Physicalism
Anomalous Monism and Mental Causation
The Representational Theory of mind
Instrumentalism
Eliminative Materialism
The Problem of Consciousness
Broad and Narrow Content
Essential Reading and Resource List
There will be a Course Reader.
Background Reading and Resource List
Additional Course Reading:
The Blackwells Guide to the Philosophy of Mind.
Lyons, W.(ed.)Modern Philosophy of Mind (Everyman, 1995).
Lycan, W. (ed.) Mind and Cognition (OUP, 1990).
Rosenthal, D. (ed.) The Nature of Mind (OUP, 1991).
Kim, J. Philosophy of Mind (Westview Press, Boulder, 1996)
Crane, T. Elements of Mind: An Introduction to the Philosophy of Mind (OUP, 2001)
Churchland, P. Matter and Consciousness: A Contemporary Introduction to the Philosophy of Mind, (Revised Edition, MIT Press, 1988).
McGinn, C. The Character of Mind (OUP, 1982)