Philosophy of Mind
PHIL 286
Spring 2020
| Section:
01
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| Crosslisting:
SISP 286 |
This class is a philosophical investigation into the nature of the mind. We will explore such questions such: What kinds of beings are capable of having mental states? Can non-human animals or computers think and feel? What is it to be conscious, and can the subjective, first-personal experience of consciousness be adequately captured by a scientific theory? How do our minds represent the world? By what mechanism do our thoughts, feelings, and desires get linked up to the things around us? We will ask these questions with the goal of shedding light on our nature as thinking, feeling beings, and on the relation of our inner lives to the physical world. |
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| Credit: 1 |
Gen Ed Area Dept:
SBS PHIL |
| Course Format: Lecture / Discussion | Grading Mode: Student Option |
| Level: UGRD |
Prerequisites: None |
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Fulfills a Requirement for: (PHIL)(PHIL-Philosophy)(PHIL-Social Jus)(STS) |
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Past Enrollment Probability: 50% - 74% |
| SECTION 01 |
Major Readings: Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore
Historical and contemporary readings: Descartes, Carnap, Putnam,.Searle, Chalmers and others. Chalmers anthology, PHILOSOPHY OF MIND: HISTORICAL AND CONTEMPORARY READINGS.
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Examinations and Assignments:
Three papers, ranging from 5-10 pages. |
Additional Requirements and/or Comments:
Students will normally be expected 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. |
| Instructor(s): Horst,Steven W. Times: ..T.R.. 02:50PM-04:10PM; Location: FISK414; |
| Total Enrollment Limit: 33 | | SR major: 8 | JR major: 7 | | |
| Seats Available: -2 | GRAD: X | SR non-major: 5 | JR non-major: 5 | SO: 5 | FR: 3 |
| Drop/Add Enrollment Requests | | | | | |
| Total Submitted Requests: 4 | 1st Ranked: 0 | 2nd Ranked: 2 | 3rd Ranked: 0 | 4th Ranked: 0 | Unranked: 2 |
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