The Ontology of Mind (U04097)

? Credit Points : 20 ? SCQF Level : 10 ? Acronym : PPL-3-U04097

This course will examine issues to do with the nature of the mind, and in particular will look at the ontological commitments of our common-sense understanding of the mind, and whether they are met. We will look at whether scientific conceptions of the mind undermine our common-sense understanding. In order to do this we will examine the semantics of our mental talk and thought, causal and non-causal views of the mind, eliminitivism, the theory-theory and simulation theory debate, criticisms of functionalism, and recent 'agency' views of the mind.

Entry Requirements

? Pre-requisites : Philosophy 2A (PP0033) or Philosophy 2B (PP0034)

Subject Areas

Home subject area

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

Delivery Information

? Normal year taken : 3rd year

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

? Contact Teaching Time : 2 hour(s) per week for 10 weeks

? Other Required Attendance : 1 hour(s) per week for 10 weeks

First Class Information

Date	Start	End	Room	Area	Additional Information
14/01/2009	11:10	13:00			Dugald Stewart Building, Room G.06

All of the following classes

Type	Day	Start	End	Area
Lecture	Wednesday	11:10	13:00	Central

Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course students:
- Understand the relevance of the history of debates about the nature of the mind to debates about the mind
- Be able to explain how understanding the semantics of our thought about the mind is relevant to understanding the nature of the mind.
- Be able to analyse arguments against the causal/functional theory of mind.
- Be able to present and criticise the central issues of the theory-theory/simulation theory debate.
- Will have improved their analytic philosophical skills
- Be able to present and defend a philosophical argument