PHL3590

Mind and Meaning

(ART)

Graham Oppy

6 points + 2 hours per week + Second semester + Clayton + Prerequisites: Two second-year Philosophy subjects - PHL2170 and PHL2650 are strongly recommended

Synopsis: This subject provides an introduction to some major themes in recent philosophy of language and mind. Among the topics to be covered are: theories of reference and truth; theories of meaning; and theories of performative utterances. These topics have come to be of central concern in contemporary analytical philosophy and are often crucial in modern debates in fields as diverse as ethics, philosophy of mind, and metaphysics. One aim of this subject is to provide essential background for students intending to go on in philosophy. www.arts.monash.edu.au/phil/undergraduate/

Assessment: Two essays (2250 words each): 50% each + One essay may optionally be replaced by a 3 hour examination