Philosophy 3265
Fall 2009
Philosophy of Mind
Course Director: Dr.
Kristin Andrews
Meetings: M
2:30-5:30
Location: FC 106
Office: S420 Ross
Office Hours: M & Th 1-2
Description: This course is an introductory overview of some of the main
issues and theories in contemporary analytic philosophy of mind. By successfully completing this course
you will improve your ability to evaluate othersŐ arguments and to create your
own. Your writing and speaking
skills should improve. You will
also learn about contemporary figures and theories in the philosophy of
mind.
Text: Philosophy
of Mind: A Guide and Anthology ed. John Heil
Articles on Moodle
https://moodle09.yorku.ca/moodle/
Requirements:
Six short papers: 24%
Midterm exam: 38% (November 2)
Take home final: 38% (December 15)
The six short papers
are one-page papers in which you will very briefly summarize an assigned
reading and then either offer a brief criticism of the reading or ask critical
questions about it. An example of
what is expected will be provided.
Each short paper is worth 4% of your final grade, and is due at the beginning
of the class period. The midterm exam will consist of short answer
questions. The take home final will consist of short answer questions;
you will turn in the final at the department office (Ross South 4th
floor). Penalties for late papers
or missed exams are left to my discretion. Generally, late short papers will not be accepted for any reason.
I will not accept any assignments submitted by email.
Schedule:
|
Date |
Topic |
Reading |
Due |
|
Sept 14 |
Introduction |
Descartes (16-18 & 50-58) |
|
|
Sept 21 |
Behaviorism |
Hempel (85-95) Putnam (96-104) |
|
|
Sept 28 |
Identity Theory |
Smart (116-127) Kripke (128-133) |
Short paper 1 (Kripke) |
|
Oct 5 |
Artificial Intelligence |
Searle (235-252) Boden (253-266) |
Short paper 2 (Boden) |
|
Oct 12 |
READING WEEK – NO CLASS |
|
|
|
Oct 19 |
Functionalism |
Lewis (150-157) Putnam (158-167) |
Short paper 3 (Putnam) |
|
Oct 26 |
Interpretationism |
Dennett (298-320) Davidson (321-333) |
|
|
Nov 2 |
MIDTERM EXAM |
No reading |
|
|
Nov 9 |
Eliminativism |
Churchland (382-400) Baker (401-413) |
Short paper 4 (Baker) |
|
Nov 16 |
Content and Reduction |
Kim (502-516) Kim (M) |
Short paper 5 (Kim on content) |
|
Nov 23 |
Consciousness |
Nagel (528-538) Tye (M) |
|
|
Nov 30 |
Consciousness |
McGinn (781-797) Hardcastle (798-806) |
Short paper 6 (McGinn) |
|
Dec 7 |
Materialism and Challenges |
Levine (772-780) Lowe (851-865) |
|