PHIL 320 : Philosophy of Mind

Arts

2021 Semester One (1213) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

There are many philosophical problems concerning mental lives (in particular, human mental lives), how they are constituted, and what makes them possible – problems which have generated a vast literature and diverse important philosophical theories. Theories introduced and critically examined will include dualisms, but will mainly comprise forms of physicalism such as philosophical behaviourism, the identity theory and especially functionalist theories.

Course Overview

Philosophy of mind aims to understand the nature of the mind and its place in the natural world. In this course, we will draw on recent advances in neuroscience and cognitive psychology, as well as contemporary philosophy of mind, to investigate topics such as consciousness, perception, thought, mental causation, mind-reading and the self. 

We will aim to answer questions like, ‘What makes something, e.g. a brain or even an artificially intelligent robot, have a mind?’, ‘How and why does physical processing give rise to conscious experiences?’, ‘Does perception ever provide us with direct access to the external world?’, ‘Do we think in a language?’, How do I know whether animals, even other humans, have minds?’, and ‘What is the self?’

We will approach these topics using the tools of analytic philosophy, where students will learn how to formulate arguments with precision, and critically evaluate their premises by drawing on a mixture of philosophical and scientific theorising. 

Course Requirements

Prerequisite: 30 points at Stage II in Philosophy or PHIL 260 and SCIGEN 201 Restriction: PHIL 200

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: Disciplinary Knowledge and Practice
Capability 2: Critical Thinking
Capability 3: Solution Seeking
Capability 4: Communication and Engagement
Graduate Profile: Bachelor of Arts

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Explain philosophical positions and arguments accurately (Capability 1.1, 2.2 and 4.2)
  2. Develop research skills required to writing a research paper in philosophy of mind. (Capability 1.1 and 2.2)
  3. Attain reading skills required to understand philosophical texts in philosophy of mind. (Capability 1.1, 2.1 and 3.1)
  4. Acquire comprehensive knowledge of philosophical methodology required for philosophy of mind. (Capability 1.2, 2.1 and 3.2)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Essay 1 45% Individual Coursework
Essay 2 45% Individual Coursework
Tutorials 10% Individual Coursework

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 15 point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15 point course that they are enrolled in.

For this course, you can expect 2 hours of lectures, a 1 hour tutorial, 3 hours of reading and thinking about the content and 4 hours of work on assignments per week.

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience

All the assessment for this course will be submitted online, and the lecture recordings will also be made online. However, it is expected that students will attend both the lectures and the tutorials, and contribute to in-class discussions. 

Student Feedback

At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.

Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.

Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

Digital Resources

Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).

Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against online source material using computerised detection mechanisms.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz

Well-being always comes first
We all go through tough times during the semester, or see our friends struggling. There is lots of help out there - for more information, look at this Canvas page https://canvas.auckland.ac.nz/courses/33894, which has links to various support services in the University and the wider community.

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.

If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.

This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Learning Continuity

In the event of an unexpected disruption we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and your assessment is fair, and not compromised. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the University Website for information about how to proceed.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.

In this course you may be asked to submit your coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. The final decision on the completion mode for a test or examination, and remote invigilation arrangements where applicable, will be advised to students at least 10 days prior to the scheduled date of the assessment, or in the case of an examination when the examination timetable is published.

Published on 22/12/2020 04:46 p.m.