Course Syllabus

Phil 7: Introduction to Philosophy of Mind

Torsten Odland

torsten.odland@gmail.com

Office Hours: Wednesdays 2:30-4:30pm, Dodd 375

 

Description:

What is a mind? Is it a physical object, or something else entirely? Is your mind simply your brain? Could a sophisticated computer have a mind? What is the relationship between your mind and you—could your mind be destroyed while you go on existing? In this course we will consider answers to these and other foundational questions in the philosophy of mind. Topics include: dualism, mind-brain identity, functionalism, internalism/externalism about mental content, personhood, and consciousness. 

 

All required readings will be posted to the course website.

 

Grading:

15% Participation

35% Midterm Paper (4-5 pages)

50% Final Paper (7-8 pages)

 

Late Penalties:

Late papers will be docked one third of a letter grade (e.g. from B+ to B) for each day they are late. If you can foresee that you will have trouble finishing your paper in time, don’t hesitate to ask for an extension.

 

Academic Integrity:

 

Students are expected to know and to follow the university’s guidelines for academic honesty. Academic misconduct can occur in a variety of ways, including (but not limited to) cheating, fabrication, and plagiarism. When in doubt about whether some academic practice is acceptable, ask your instructor for assistance. Always err on the side of caution. Any suspected violation of university policy regarding academic conduct will be reported directly to the Office of the Dean of Students, without exception. UCLA’s policies on academic and intellectual integrity can be found at:

 

Accessibility:

 

If you have special access needs associated with a disability, please reach out to UCLA’s Center for Accessible Education. They will determine what accommodations you are entitled to and give me instructions for providing them. You can visit CAE in person in A255 Murphy Hall or email them at caeintake@saonet.ucla.edu.

 

Week 1: Substance Dualism

 

7/7

Descartes - Meditations 1 and 2 (full), and Meditations 6 p. 54-55 and p. 59 just the paragraph beginning with "The first observation"

 

7/9

Descartes and Elizabeth of Bohemia Correspondence

 

7/11

Kim p. 214-220

 

 

Week 2: Mind-Brain Identity

7/14

Kim, p. 91-114

Supplemental Reading: Smart, “Sensations and Brain Processes”

 

7/16

Pylyshyn, Computation and Cognition Chapter 1

 

7/18

No further reading

 

 

Week 3: Functionalism

7/21

Clark, “Meat Machines”

 

7/23

Kim, p. 129-151

 

7/25

Searle, “Can Computers Think?”

MIDTERM DUE AT MIDNIGHT

 

 

Week 4: Functionalism Continued, starting Mind and Self

7/28

Block, “Problems with Functionalism”

 

7/30

Locke, “Identity and Diversity” sections 1-17, 20, 28

 

9/1

Hume, “Of Personal Identity”

 

Week 5: Mind and Self Continued, starting Consciousness

9/4

LABOR DAY NO CLASS

9/6

Williams, “The Self and the Future”

Parfit, “We are Not Human Beings"

9/8:

Nagel, “What is it Like to be a Bat?”

 

 

Week 6: Consciousness Continued

9/11

Jackson, “Epiphenomenal Qualia,” just the section "The Knowledge Argument for Qualia"

 

9/12

Alter, “The Knowledge Argument Against Physicalism” Sections 2 and 4

 

9/13

Chalmers, “A-Type Materialism and B-type Materialism”

 

9/17

FINAL EXAM DUE AT MIDNIGHT

Resources:

Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS):
https://www.caps.ucla.edu/ or (310) 825-0768


CARE: Advocacy Office for Sexual and Gender-Based Violence and Misconduct: https://careprogram.ucla.edu/ or (310) 206-2465 (24 Hour Crisis Counseling (888) 200-6665)

UCLA Writing Programs: http://www.wp.ucla.edu/

Professor Jim Pryor’s writing tips for philosophers: http://www.jimpryor.net/teaching/guidelines/writing.html

Course Summary:

Date Details Due