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HU Credits:
4
Degree/Cycle:
1st degree (Bachelor)
Responsible Department:
Philosophy
Semester:
1st Semester
Teaching Languages:
Hebrew
Campus:
Mt. Scopus
Course/Module Coordinator:
prof. Hilla Jacobson
Coordinator Office Hours:
Teaching Staff:
Prof Hilla Jacobson
Course/Module description:
We shall begin by introducing different kinds of mental states, and by clarifying some of the central and prima facie unique features of the mental. We shall then present the mind-body problem, and discuss central theories regarding the nature of mental states and their ontological status: dualism, behaviorism, the identity-theory, functionalism and the computer model of the mind. We shall also discuss following issues, which stand at the core of current discussions in philosophy of mind: consciousness, mental content and mental causation.
Course/Module aims:
Learning outcomes - On successful completion of this module, students should be able to:
N.A
Attendance requirements(%):
80%
Teaching arrangement and method of instruction:
Course/Module Content:
1st week
Introduction
The mental realm; central questions; introducing the mind-body problem
Kinds of mental states and some of their prime characteristics I:
Propositional attitudes, perceptual experiences, bodily sensations, emotions; intentionality, phenomenal properties.
2nd week
Kinds of mental states and some of their prime characteristics II:
Epistemic characteristics
Is there a mark of the mental?
Distinguishing two questions: what makes a state mental vs. the question of the individuation of mental states (mental properties)
Assigned Reading:
Horowitz, parts of unit 1
3rd week
Substance Dualism:
Its main tenets; arguments in favor and against it (the notion of conceivability arguments)
Assigned Reading:
Horowitz, parts of unit 2
4th week
Property Dualism:
The rejection of strong supervenience; versions of property dualism; interactionism; epiphenomenalism; arguments for and against property dualism.
Assigned Reading:
Horowitz, parts of unit 2
5th week
Identity Theory I:
Empirical commitments (“weak supervenience”; two-directional correlation); theoretical commitments (synthetic vs. analytic identity statements), what does “identity” mean
Assigned Reading:
Horowitz, parts of units 4 and 5
Smart, "Sensations and Brain Processes"
6th week
Indentity Theory II: Arguments for the identity theory:
The argument from simplicity, “Armstrong’s argument”, the argument from mental causation
Assigned Reading:
Horowitz, parts of unit 5
7th week
Identity Theory III: Arguments against the identity theory; the Type Identity Theory and the Token Identity Theory
The knowledge argument and some replies; type identity vs. token identiy; the multiple realizability argument
Assigned Reading:
Horowitz, parts of unit 5, parts of unit 2
Jackson, "Epiphenomenal Qualia"
Putnam, “The Nature of Mental States”
8th week
Towards functionalism:
Behaviorism and its shortcomings; the functionalist way of individuating mental states (Ramsey/Lewis Definitions)
Assigned Reading:
Horowitz, units 6 and 7
Putnam, "Brains and Behavior"
Excerpts from: Lewis, "Psychophysical and Theoretical Identifications"
9th week
Functionalism:
The computer model of the mind; functionalism and the ontology of mental states
Assigned Reading:
Horowitz, units 6 and 7
Putnam, “The Nature of Mental States”
10th week
Challenges to Functionalism:
Accusations of liberalism and chauvinism; Functionalism and intentionality; functionalism and qualia
Assigned Reading:
Excerpts from: Block, "Troubles with Functionalism"
11th week
Externalism and Mental Contents:
Revisiting intentionality; the causal co-variational theory; Internalism vs. Externalism
Assigned Reading:
Horowitz, parts of unit 8
Putnam, Meaning and Reference
12th week
Consciousness I:
Kinds of consciousness; phenomenal consciousness and the explanatory gap; phenomenal character and representational content
Assigned Reading:
Block, “Concepts of Consciousness”
Horowitz, unit 9
13th week
Consciousness II:
A taste of “empirical philosophy”: phenomenality without cognitive accessibility? Supervenience of phenomenal character on representational content?
Assigned Reading:
Block, “Consciousness and Cognitive Access”
Required Reading:
*Tentative* Reading List
הורוביץ, א., פילוסופיה של הנפש בתקופתנו.
Smart, J.J.C. "Sensations and Brain Processes"
Jackson, F. "Epiphenomenal Qualia"
Putnam, H. “The Nature of Mental States”
Lewis, D. "Psychophysical and Theoretical Identifications"
Block, N. "Troubles with Functionalism"
Putnam, H. Meaning and Reference
Block, N. “Concepts of Consciousness”
Block, N. “Consciousness and Cognitive Access”
Additional Reading Material:
Course/Module evaluation:
End of year written/oral examination 0 %
Presentation 0 %
Participation in Tutorials 0 %
Project work 0 %
Assignments 40 %
Reports 0 %
Research project 0 %
Quizzes 0 %
Other 60 %
take home exam
Additional information:
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