PHIL 455 Topics in the Philosophy of Cognitive Science: The Structure of the Mind
Term 2: Monday 3:00-5:00pm
Do people with radically different background theories perceive the world in different ways? Is language essential to some forms of cognition? Are moral judgments more dependent on reason or emotion? This section of PHIL455 will look at these (and other) high-level questions about the structure of the mind where the best research is equally grounded in developments in philosophy and the cognitive sciences.
Readings
Roughly 2 articles per week. Some of these will be by philosophers, some by cognitive scientists. The exact readings will depend on the topics the class settles on—there will be some choices.
Grades
There is some flexibility here—I am open to student input regarding the nature of the graded assignments—but the default will be: (1) 15 % homework (brief written reactions to the readings), (2) 15% participation, (3) 20% short paper, (4) 50% longer paper.
Course Format
This course will be organized as a seminar and will emphasize class discussion.
Prerequisites
PHIL 240 or COGS 200 if accompanied by 3 credits in PHIL at the 200-level or above, plus at least 3rd year undergraduate status. Recommended for this section: PHIL451 (philosophy of mind) or PHIL441 (philosophy of perception), and general background in philosophy and/or cognitive science.
Readings
Roughly 2 articles per week. Some of these will be by philosophers, some by cognitive scientists. The exact readings will depend on the topics the class settles on—there will be some choices.
Grades
There is some flexibility here—I am open to student input regarding the nature of the graded assignments—but the default will be: (1) 15 % homework (brief written reactions to the readings), (2) 15% participation, (3) 20% short paper, (4) 50% longer paper.
Course Format
This course will be organized as a seminar and will emphasize class discussion.
Prerequisites
PHIL 240 or COGS 200 if accompanied by 3 credits in PHIL at the 200-level or above, plus at least 3rd year undergraduate status. Recommended for this section: PHIL451 (philosophy of mind) or PHIL441 (philosophy of perception), and general background in philosophy and/or cognitive science.