Subject Area: Philosophy

This course begins by discussing the virtual disappearance of the idea of the soul, of the conscious self as an entity separate from the body which might go on existing without it. How has this come about? What alternative ideas have recent thinkers given us? Are these new ideas intellectually and humanly acceptable? How is it possible for mere aggregates of matter to possess consciousness and the capacity for thought? Having become familiar with the major contemporary views about the nature of mind, we will turn to a range of related topics. Are minds just sophisticated computers? Are states of mind are just states of our brains and nervous systems?