Fall 2017 - PHIL 343 D100
Philosophy of Mind (3)
Class Number: 8341
Delivery Method: In Person
Overview
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Course Times + Location:
Sep 5 – Dec 4, 2017: Mon, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
Burnaby -
Exam Times + Location:
Dec 11, 2017
Mon, 3:30–6:30 p.m.
Burnaby
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Instructor:
Jason Leardi
jrl11@sfu.ca
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Prerequisites:
Either one of: PHIL 201 or 203; or both of PHIL 100W (or equivalent) and COGS 200.
Description
CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:
A study of theories of the mind, consciousness, and human action.
COURSE DETAILS:
Consciousness
[Note: this course is to be taught concurrently with PHIL 332/COGS 310. Enrollment is limited and requires departmental approval. Please enroll in PHIL 332.]
This course will be built around two central goals:
- To provide a survey of some of the central problems & challenges inherent in the study of consciousness as a subject matter.
- To grapple with the methodological challenge inherent in developing and pursuing a genuinely interdisciplinary approach to research on consciousness.
The course will serve as an introduction to the recent history of research on consciousness with a focus on the ways contemporary philosophical work has shaped the field. We will cover work on the nature of and relationship between intentionality and phenomenology, the challenges consciousness presents for functionalism/computationalism and the representational theory of mind, as well as more recent alternative approaches to the mind (e.g. embodiment, enactivism, and the extended mind). We will draw on a broad selection of contemporary research in cognitive science, with an emphasis on work in philosophy, psychology and neuroscience.
The following are some broad thematic questions that we will try to gain some insight into over the course of the semester: How important is an understanding of consciousness to Cognitive Science? Is it even possible to understand the nature of consciousness at all, let alone empirically? Among the disciplines that treat consciousness as a target of serious ongoing research, should one set the agenda for the others? What does it mean to do work in philosophy that is ‘empirically informed’? What role should philosophy play in cognitive science? Is it possible to identify a set of ‘best practices’ for conducting interdisciplinary research?
Because enrolled students will be expected to contribute regularly to discussions in class, and will be required to produce weekly discussion questions and/or reflection papers, attendance will be required.
Grading
- Attendance 10%
- Weekly Reflection Prompts / Discussion Questions 30%
- Research Paper: this assignment will have 3 phases: 40%
- 1. A paper topic proposal & bibliography (10%)
- 2. A first draft submitted for revisions and evaluation (10%)
- 3. A final draft, graded for overall quality and improvement over first draft (20%)
- Research Paper Presentation: A brief in class presentation during which students will explain the central thesis of their research paper and answer questions from fellow students and the instructor 20%
Materials
REQUIRED READING:
Readings will be provided as PDFs.
Registrar Notes:
SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://students.sfu.ca/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating. Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.
Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the University community. Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the University. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the University. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS