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HU Credits:
2
Degree/Cycle:
2nd degree (Master)
Responsible Department:
Physics
Semester:
1st Semester
Teaching Languages:
Hebrew
Campus:
E. Safra
Course/Module Coordinator:
Prof Haim Sompolinsky
Coordinator Office Hours:
by appointment
Teaching Staff:
Prof Haim Sompolinsky
Course/Module description:
Recently there has been much progress in the research of higher brain functions in animals and humans and a lot of information has accumulated regarding neural mechanisms of cognitive functions, such as: decision-making, planning, intending, deliberating, and more. These developments renewed the long standing discussions regarding the mind-body problem, and especially the nature of free-will.
The discussion of these questions is naturally connected to basic scientific attitudes and concepts such as causation, reduction of complex phenomenon to its microscopic building blocks, and the relevance of quantum mechanics to understanding the brain and free-will. In the course we will focus on understanding the issues of determinism, prediction, reduction, emergence, physicalism, compatibilism and libertarianism.
Course/Module aims:
To present the students with a meaningful discussion of the different aspects of the mind-body problem, and especially the free-will problem, from the perspective of physics, brain sciences and philosophy. We also aim at exposing the students to the various developments in understanding the underlying structure of the physical- scientific world-view.
Learning outcomes - On successful completion of this module, students should be able to:
Students will get acquainted with the basic physical, neuronal and philosophical concepts regarding the issue of the relationship between free-will, physics and the brain. They will be able to tackle scientific and philosophical texts dealing with this topic.
Attendance requirements(%):
100
Teaching arrangement and method of instruction:
Lectures, reading and analyzing articles, and home assignments.
Course/Module Content:
Determinism, Predictability and Randomness in Classical Physics; modern interpretations of Quantum Mechanics and their implications on randomness and non-locality in physics; the principle of Causality; the problem of Reduction – scientific examples and philosophical analysis.
Neuronal mechanisms for decision-making, planning and acting; moral and utilitarian judgments. Randomness, Chaos and Quantum Mechanics in neuronal processes; imaging and predictability of intentions. The Free Will problem - Libet experiments; philosophical attitudes and criticisms in light of brain sciences; implications for moral responsibility. Compatible and Incompatible Free Will
Required Reading:
Will be given during the course
Additional Reading Material:
None
Grading Scheme :
Additional information:
Teaching Assistant-Dr. Ariel Furstenberg
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