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Philosophy of Mind - PHIL2206
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Students studying
 
Faculty: Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
 
 
School:  School of History and Philosophy
 
 
Course Outline: http://philosophy.arts.unsw.edu.au/
 
 
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
 
 
Excluded: PHIL2207, PHIL5007
 
 
Fee Band: 1 (more info)
 
 
Further Information: See Class Timetable
 
 

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%
  • Two short answer exercises - 40%

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