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.
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.
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.
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Classes and seminars
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.
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.
Ricevimento: During class period: Thursday 3-5 PM (after class) During the rest of the year: Thursday 2-4 PM
MARIA CRISTINA AMORETTI (President)
MARCELLO FRIXIONE
MICHELE MARSONET
MARIA LUISA MONTECUCCO
NICLA VASSALLO
February 18, 2020
Oral exam.
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.
