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CS92PROD
Topics in Philosophy of Mind
PHIL 381
Fall 2008 not offered
This course may be repeated for credit.

This year's seminar will examine the debate between "modularism" and "globalism" in philosophy and the cognitive sciences. Traditionally, philosophers have tended to view the mind as a single thing--a single substance, theater of awareness, or general-purpose cognitive organ. This "globalist" view has historically been supported by some major figures in psychology and neuroscience as well. Recent work in brain imaging, trauma studies, neural probes, cognitive ethology and cognitive/developmental psychology, however, have led many researchers to the opposite conclusion: that the mind is not a general-purpose organ, but a collection of special-purpose "modules." This course will examine various types of arguments for globalist and modularist views of mind and brain, and will explore philosophical frameworks for conceptualizing the complexity that we are discovering there.

Essential Capabilities: None
Credit: 1 Gen Ed Area Dept: HA PHIL
Course Format: SeminarGrading Mode: Graded
Level: UGRD Prerequisites: PHIL286 OR PHIL289
Fulfills a Major Requirement for: (PHIL)(PHIL-Philosophy)(PHIL-Social Jus)

Last Updated on MAR-28-2024
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