PHI202 - Philosophy of Mind

Outline:

This course is a full (20 credit) module that provides a survey of philosophical theories of the mind. What is it for human beings to have a mind and mental states? How is it that human beings, and perhaps other animals, are able to have conscious experiences? How is that we are able to represent the world to ourselves in thought? What is the relation between the mind and the brain? We'll look at a variety of answers to these questions and examine the most important theories that contemporary philosophers have to offer. Topics covered will include behaviourism, identity theory, functionalism, the language of thought, representational theories of consciousness and eliminative materialism.

Course readings

Jaegwon Kim Philosophy of Mind and Braddon-Mitchell and Jackson Philosophy of Mind and Cognition: an introduction

Lecturer:

Kathy Puddifoot

Lectures: Autumn Semester

Tues 11-12 Room: HI-LT6
Thu 10-11 Room: HI-LTC

Seminars:

Tues 1-2 Room: JB-SR117
Tues 4-5 Room: JB-SR117
Thu 12-1 Room: JB-SR117