UNSW Handbook Course - Philosophy of Mind

Philosophy of Mind - PHIL2206


	Faculty: Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
	School: School of Philosophy
	Contact: Cam,Philip Arthur
	Campus: Kensington Campus
	Career: Undergraduate
	Units of Credit: 6
	EFTSL: 0.125 (more info)
	Contact Hours per Week: 3
	Enrolment Requirements:
	Prerequisite: 6 units of credit in level 1 Philosophy and 36 units of credit overall
	Session Offered: See Class Timetable
	Fee Band: 1 (more info)

Description

An introduction to some central concerns and major debates about the nature of mind. Addresses questions such as can our conscious mental life be an object of scientific study? What is the relation between mind and brain? Can we explain how consciousness evolved? What is the basis and nature of our personal identity?

Learning Outcomes

Students who successfully complete this course will have a good general knowledge of this significant area of contemporary philosophy as well as better developed skills in conceptual exploration and the analysis and construction of argument. They will have a general knowledge and understanding of:

The major contemporary views about the nature of mind
Recent debate over whether minds are computers
Contemporary attempts to understand subjectivity or consciousness
Discussion in the Philosophy of Mind about what determines our identity as persons

More generally, students will also be able to:

Analyse and reconstruct reasoning in intellectually challenging texts
Analyse and employ complex concepts
Engage in careful reasoning and well-considered argument, both verbally and in writing.

Assessment

First essay (2000 words) - (30%)
Final essay (2000 words) - (30%)
2 short answer exercises - (40%)

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