phi3mbm minds, brains, and machines

MINDS, BRAINS, AND MACHINES: CONTEMPORARY PHILOSOPHY OF MIND

PHI3MBM

2016

Credit points: 15

Subject outline

What is the mind and what is it made of? Can we say that mind and brain are the same thing? Are mental states, like thoughts and feelings, nothing more than brain states? Can machines be conscious? Do they have a mind? Do they think? Is language necessary for thinking? These and other questions will be the focus of this subject, which introduces students to contemporary philosophy of mind and to the philosophical underpinnings of contemporary cognitive science, psychology and linguistics.

SchoolSchool of Humanities & Social Sciences

Credit points15

Subject Co-ordinatorYuri Cath

Available to Study Abroad StudentsYes

Subject year levelYear Level 3 - UG

Exchange StudentsYes

Subject particulars

Subject rules

PrerequisitesN/A

Co-requisitesN/A

Incompatible subjects PHI2MBM

Equivalent subjectsN/A

Special conditionsN/A

Graduate capabilities & intended learning outcomes

01. Identify the underlying issues in a complex problem or controversial debate, analyse their structure and employ appropriate reasoning strategies designed to resolve the problem.

Activities:
Essays, on-line and/or individual, class and study group learning activities.
Related graduate capabilities and elements:
Creative Problem-solving(Creative Problem-solving)

02. Identify, formulate, analyse and judge the success of standard form and text-based arguments, using appropriate methods of analysis and critical reasoning.

Activities:
Essays, on-line and/or individual, class and study group learning activities.
Related graduate capabilities and elements:
Critical Thinking(Critical Thinking)

03. Locate, review, analyse and synthesise unfamiliar ideas and lines of argument with an open mind and willingness to question and revise assumptions and change one's own views when appropriate.

Activities:
Essays, on-line and/or individual, class and study group learning activities.
Related graduate capabilities and elements:
Inquiry/ Research(Inquiry/ Research)

04. Write a carefully constructed essay in support of a philosophical claim.

Activities:
Essay writing, modelling, feedback on essay.
Related graduate capabilities and elements:
Writing(Writing)

Subject options

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Start date between: and    Key dates

Melbourne, 2016, Semester 1, Day

Overview

Online enrolmentYes

Maximum enrolment sizeN/A

Enrolment information

Subject Instance Co-ordinatorYuri Cath

Class requirements

SeminarWeek: 10 - 22
One 2.0 hours seminar per week on weekdays during the day from week 10 to week 22 and delivered via face-to-face.

Assessments

Assessment elementComments%ILO*
Essay, 2000 words5001, 02, 03, 04
Essay, 2000 words5001, 02, 03, 04