Program Overview

Philosophy of Mind Syllabus (Philosophy 3334)

Course Overview

The Philosophy of Mind course is designed to explore the fundamental concepts and theories in the field of philosophy of mind. The course will cover various topics, including introduction to the course, neurology, neural models of the mind, computer models of the mind, dualism and behaviorism, the identity theory and functionalism, eliminativism, meaning as internal ostention, meaning as causal role, other minds and mine, and free will.

Course Schedule

• Jan 16, 18: Introduction to the course
  • Readings: Matter and Consciousness (M&C) Ch. 1, Ch. 5, The Mind's I (MI) Ch.2 On Having No Head
• Jan 23, 25: Neurology
  • Readings: M&C Ch. 7 - 7.2, MI Ch. 11 Ant Fugue p. 159-184
• Jan 30, Feb 1: Neural Models of the Mind
  • Readings: M&C Ch. 7.3 - 7.5, MI Ch. 12 The Story of a Brain
• Feb 6, 8: Computer Models of the Mind
  • Readings: M&C Ch. 6, MI Ch. 15 Beyond Rejection
• Feb 13: Review
• Feb 15: EXAM #1
• Feb 20, 22: Dualism and Behaviorism
  • Readings: M&C Ch. 2 - 2.2, MI Ch. 23 An Unfortunate Dualist
• Feb 27, Mar 1: The Identity Theory and Functionalism
  • Readings: M&C Ch. 2.4 -2.5, MI Ch. 26 Conv. with Einstein's Brain
• Mar 6, 8: Eliminativism
  • Readings: M&C Ch 2.5, MI Ch. 9 Spirit
• Mar 20, 22: Review
• Mar 27: EXAM #2
• Mar 29, Apr 3: Meaning as Internal Ostention
  • Readings: M&C Ch. 3 - 3.2, MI Ch. 25 An Epist. Nightmare
• Apr 5, 10: Meaning as Causal Role
  • Readings: M&C Ch. 3.3 - 3.4, MI Ch. 22 Minds, Brains, Programs
• Apr 12, 17: Other Minds and Mine
  • Readings: M&C Ch. 4, MI Ch. 24 What is it Like to be a Bat?
• Apr 19, 24: Free Will
  • Readings: TBA
• Apr 26: Review
• May 10: FINAL (2-5 PM in the classroom)

Assessment and Evaluation

• Short Papers: 20%
• Two exams: 25% each
• Final: 30%
• Students are required to submit a short paper of no more than 250 words reflecting on the readings for each week.
• There will be two exams, one before and one after Spring Break, and a final.

Additional Information

The syllabus is subject to change, and students are responsible for keeping track of in-class announcements and updates. If a student misses a class, they are responsible for all information provided during that class.