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| Course Title: | Philosophy of Mind (PHIL 255) |
| Instructor: | Chris Eliasmith (celiasmith@uwaterloo.ca, HH 331, x2638) |
| Room and Time: | AL 208, TTh 4-5:20 |
| Texts: | Readings in Philosophy of Mind by UW Courseware. (Largely excerpts from Lyons, W. (Ed.) (1995). Modern Philosophy of Mind. London, UK, Everyman (MPM)) |
| Lyons, W. (2001) Matters of the Mind. Routledge. (MM) | |
| Homepage: | http://watarts.uwaterloo.ca/~celiasmi/courses/Phil255/ |
Course Description: This is a survey course intended to introduce the student to contemporary philosophical approaches to traditional problems in the philosophy of mind. Readings for this course include classic papers outlining influential positions in philosophy of mind in the 20th century. We will situate and discuss introspectionism, psychological and logical behaviorism, identity theory, functionalism, subjectivism, instrumentalism, computationalism, eliminative materialism, and new mysterianism. Areas of study include the philosophy of psychology, sensation and perception, concepts, intentionality, folk-psychology, and consciousness.
Schedule:
Week |
Readings |
Topic |
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Introspectionism |
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Jan 8 |
MM Chp 1 |
Descartes to Early Psychology |
|
James, 1892, Stream of consciousness (MPM) |
Critique of Introspectionism |
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|
Optional: MPM, Introduction |
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Behaviorism |
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Jan 15 |
Watson, 1913, Psychology as the behaviorist views it. (MPM) |
Psychological behaviourism |
|
|
MM Chp 2 pp. 37-45 |
Philosophical behaviourism |
|
Jan 22 |
Ryle, 1958, A puzzling element in the notion of thinking. (MPM). 94, 96-99,103-105 |
Behaviourism and language |
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| MM Chp 2 pp. 59-78 | Problems for behaviourism | ||
Identity Theory |
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Jan 29 |
Place, 1958, Is consciousness a brain process? (MPM) |
Neural states and perceptual states |
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MM Chp 3, p. 79-121 |
Identity theory |
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Functionalism |
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Feb 5 |
Putnam, 1973, Philosophy and our mental life. (MPM) MM Chp 4 pp. 129-155 |
Functionalist thesis | |
|
Searle, 1980, Minds, brains, and programs. MM Chp 4 pp. 156-174 |
The Chinese room |
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Feb 12 |
Fodor, 1987, The persistence of the attitudes. (MPM) | Eliminativism and propositional attitudes | |
Feb 14 |
Test (30%) | ||
Folk Psychology |
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Feb 26 |
Churchland, 1981, Eliminative materialism and the propositional attitudes. (MPM) |
Essay Topics | |
Feb 28 |
Cancelled | CANCELLED | |
Intentionality and Cause |
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Mar 4 |
Cancelled |
CANCELLED |
|
Mar
6 |
Dennett, 1971, Intentional systems.
(MPM) |
Instrumentalism |
|
Mar
11 |
Cancelled (Campus Day needs the room) | CANCELLED | |
Mar 13 |
Armstrong, 1968, The causal theory of mind. (MPM) |
Causation |
|
Consciousness |
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Mar 18 |
Nagel, 1974, What is it like to be a bat? (MPM) |
Subjectivism |
|
| MM Chp 5 pp. 175-188 | |||
Mar 25 |
McGinn, 1989, Can we solve the mind-body problem? (MPM) |
New mysterianism |
|
|
MM Chp 5 pp. 189-207 |
Final Essays (35%) |
|
Apr 1 |
MM Chp 6 | Conclusion | |
Apr 3 |
Final Test (25%) | ||
Grading: The course requires the writing of one midterm exam worth 30%, a final essay worth 35%, a final test worth 25%, and in-class essays worth 10%. The in-class essays will be written every class, be worth .5% each, and marked pass/fail.
NB: There will be no penalty for handing the essay in on or before March 27th. After that, see the late policy.
Fees: There might be a small photocopying fee for any notes handed out during the term (excluding assignments, tests, exams, etc.).
Note on avoidance of academic offenses: All students registered in the courses of the Faculty of Arts are expected to know what constitutes academic integrity, to avoid committing academic offences, and to take responsibility for their actions. When the commission of an offence is established, disciplinary penalties will be imposed in accord with Policy #71 (Student Academic Discipline). For information on categories of offences and types of penalties, students are directed to consult the summary of Policy #71 which is supplied in the Undergraduate Calendar (section 1; on the Web at www.adm.uwaterloo.ca/infousec/Policies/policy71.htm). If you need help in learning what constitutes an academic offence; how to avoid offences such as plagiarism, cheating, and double submission; how to follow appropriate rules with respect to “group work” and collaboration; or if you need clarification of aspects of the discipline policy, ask your TA and/or your course instructor for guidance. Other resources regarding the discipline policy are your academic advisor and the Undergraduate Associate Dean. Students who believe that they have been wrongfully or unjustly penalized have the right to grieve; refer to Policy #70, Student Grievance, http://www.adm.uwaterloo.ca/infosec/Policies/policy70.htm.