Semantic Externalism MSc (P02780)

? Credit Points : 20 ? SCQF Level : 11 ? Acronym : PPL-P-SemExtern

This course is about semantic externalism and its discontents?the view that propositional contents and hence the contents of intentional mental states are individuated in part by facts external to the individual who are in those states. We will first look at Putnam?s influential twin-earth argument and the ways in which Burge extended Putnam?s argument. Then we will examine the possibility of reconciling semantic externalism with self-knowledge, and we will explore the anti-sceptical resources typically associated with semantic externalism. Finally we turn to a problem about how wide content mental states can be if not causally efficacious, then at least causally relevant.

Shared with UG course U04095 Semantic Externalism

Venue: 3.10 Dugald Stewart Building

Entry Requirements

none

Subject Areas

Home subject area

Philosophy, (School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences, Schedule I)

Delivery Information

? Normal year taken : Postgraduate

? Delivery Period : Semester 2 (Blocks 3-4)

? Contact Teaching Time : 2 hour(s) per week for 11 weeks

First Class Information

Date	Start	End	Room	Area	Additional Information
13/01/2009	09:00	11:00			G6 Dugald Stewart Building

All of the following classes

Type	Day	Start	End	Area
Lecture	Tuesday	09:00	10:50	Central

Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes

Students who have completed this course should be able to:
* Understand key issues in contemporary philosophy of thought, including arguments for semantic internalism and externalism
* Critically assess the epistemological implications of these views pertaining to skepticism and self-knowledge
* Critically assess the metaphysical implications of these views pertaining to mental causation and causal explanation