Mind and meaning
Proposed to be offered next in 1996
Richard Holton
8 points * 2 hours per week * Second semester * Clayton * Prerequisites: Any two second-year philosophy subjects. It will, however, be advantageous to have taken PHL2650, PHL3650 or PHL3600
This subject is concerned with the place of the mind in the natural world. Topics will include materialism, qualia, belief-desire psychology, functionalism, folk theories versus scientific theories, mental content, the language of thought, connectionism and decision theory. The focus will be on introducing students to the philosophical issues in a way that connects them to questions that arise in the disciplines that make up the area sometimes referred to as `cognitive science'. A background in science is not required.
Assessment
Two essays (3000 words each): 50% each * Optional replacement of one essay by a 3-hour examination
Preliminary reading
Churchland H M Matter and consciousness rev. edn, MIT Press, 1988
Prescribed texts
Lycan W G (ed.) Mind and cognition Blackwell, 1990