OVERVIEW

The course will introduce the main topics in philosophy of mind, not only from a strictly metaphysical and epistemological perspective but also considering the advances in neuroscience and cognitive science. Classic issues, such as the mind-body problem, mental causation, intentionality, and consciousness, will be studied in depth, through a direct reference to major philosophical texts.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course will introduce the main issues in philosophy of mind, not only from a strictly metaphysical and epistemological perspective, but also considering the advances in neuroscience and cognitive science. Students will learn to analyze "classic" topics, such as the mind-body problem, mental causation, intentionality, and consciousness, through the critical discussion of the main theories on the nature of mind, as well as a direct reference to major philosophical texts. Students will have to develop a critical thought on philosophical matters involving the mind, and the ability to build rigorous, clear arguments using a specific philosophical vocabulary.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course will introduce the current main themes in philosophy of mind, not only from a strictly metaphysical and epistemological perspective, but also considering the advances in neuroscience and cognitive sciences about brain functions and structure. Students will learn to analyze "classic" problems, such as the mind-body relation, mental causation, intentionality, and consciousness, through the critical discussion of the major positions on the nature of mind, as well as a direct reference to major philosophical texts and to the most innovative contemporary perspectives. Students will have to develop a critical thought on philosophical matters involving the mind, and to learn to build rigorous, clear arguments using a specific philosophical vocabulary. In this way, students will be encouraged to develop personal opinions based on solid, coherent reasonings.

PREREQUISITES

None

TEACHING METHODS

Classes and seminars

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

The course will introduce the current main themes in philosophy of mind, such as the mind-body problem, mental causation, intentionality, concepts, and consciousness. Each problem will be analyzed in relation to positions such as dualism (substance, property, predicates), behaviorism (classic and contemporary), identity theories (type, token), reductionism, eliminativism, computationalism, functionalism, and externalism.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

One book amongst the followings:

Kim, J. (2010), Philosophy of Mind, Westview Press.

Di Francesco, M., Marraffa, M., Tomasetta, A. (2018), Filosofia della mente, Carocci.

Two books amongst the followings (one book only for students who are taking the 6-CFU course):

Amoretti, M.C. (2011), La mente fuori dal corpo, FrancoAngeli.

Chalmers, D. (2014), Che cos’è la coscienza? Kindle

Churchland, P.C. (2014), L’io come cervello, Raffaello Cortina.

Dennett, D. (2018), Dai batteri a Bach, Milano, Raffaello Cortina.

Fodor, J. (2014), Mente e linguaggio, Laterza.

Gazzaniga, M.S. (2018), La coscienza è un istinto, Raffaello Cortina.

Noe, A. (2010), Noi non siamo il nostro cervello, Raffaello Cortina.

Further readings will be given during classes.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

MARIA CRISTINA AMORETTI (President)

MARCELLO FRIXIONE

MICHELE MARSONET

MARIA LUISA MONTECUCCO

NICLA VASSALLO

LESSONS

LESSONS START

February 18, 2020

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

Oral exam.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

Oral exam. Attending students can write and present a report in class and/or write an essay that will be graded and taken into account for the overall mark. Details will be given during classes.