Philosophy 3

Humans think, feel, hope, and believe – things that plants and furniture don’t do. We also have bodies that eat, sleep, act, and get hurt, unlike artificial intelligence. What does it mean for humans to have both a mind and a body? And how are they connected?

This introductory course delves into central topics within the philosophy of mind. It is divided into two parts. In the first half, we will focus on the relationship between the mind and the body. Are they two separate things, or are they one and the same? Can we explain mental states in terms of behavior, functions, or physical processes? We will look at major theories, including Dualism, Behaviorism, Functionalism, and Physicalism. In the second half, we will explore topics like consciousness, intentionality, and perception. What is consciousness, and how does it fit into a physical world? How does the mind “think about” or “represent” things? When we see objects like tables and chairs, do we perceive them directly, or do we experience mental images of them?

To answer these questions, we will read and discuss works by philosophers such as Descartes, Putnam, Nagel, Jackson, Anscombe, Moore, and Grice. We will also consider challenges to their ideas and practice writing and thinking philosophically.