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In 2010/11 this course (in a slightly modified form) is available through PPLS as Theories of Mind (PHIL10024).
Lecturer: Paul
Schweizer
Lectures: Semester 1, Tuesday 1400-1550 Forrest Hill room 3.D01.
The goal of the course is to explore some of the conceptual issues basic to Cognitive Science and Artificial Intelligence as theoretical approaches to the mind. Two key features that are traditionally used to distinguish mental from non-mental systems are consciousness and representational content. A central aim of the course will be to examine the extent to which these two features can be captured or explained by computational and physicalistic approaches.
Roughly the first 10 lectures will focus on the topic of representation and mental content, and will discuss issues such as the symbol grounding problem, intentional explanation, `folk psychology', and narrow versus wide content. The next 5 (or so) lectures will deal with the problem of consciousness and explore issues concerning functionalism and computationalism, neural correlates of consciousness, dualism and epiphenomenalism. Finally we'll look at competing `paradigms' within Cognitive Science and AI, including symbol manipulation, connectionism, dynamical systems and behavior based robotics.
The general format will be to read and discuss selected influential papers in the field; most of these can be found in the 2 anthologies listed below, as well as on the course webCT site. In terms of methodology and orientation, the course focuses on conceptual and theoretical issues from a philosophical perspective. The methodology is verbal/discursive and emphasizes conceptual analysis and critical reasoning.
Lycan, W. Mind and Cognition, Third Edition, Blackwell Publishers.
Haugeland, J. Mind Design II, MIT Press.
The course syllabus (complete reading list), as well as all of the assigned articles and selected lecture notes can be found on the course webCT site.
A writing assignment consisting of a 1500-2000 word essay, worth 20% of the mark, which is designed to prepare level 10 students for the type of question to be posed in the exam.
Hardcopy versions of the essay are due by 4pm on Wednesday 11 November at the ITO office, AT level 4.
If you are taking the course as a level 11 student, then you need to write a term paper rather than take the exam (level 10 students must take the exam).The range of possible topics is quite varied, and should ideally be interest-driven by the student. Please make an appointment to see me before the end of week 10 to discuss the choice of a topic. The papers should not be longer than about 5000 words, and are due on Thursday of the second week of semester 2 at 16:00 in the ITO Office, level 4 Appleton Tower.
The format of the exam will be to choose two out of three essay questions. The structure of the questions will closely resemble the writing assignment, but there will not be a significant overlap between topics. The basic expectation for a passing answer is to demonstrate a satisfactory acquaintance with/understanding of the material and issues covered in the lectures and the assigned readings. The clearer and more incisive your exposition/discussion, the higher the mark. In addition, you will be invited to engage the issues yourself, and here precise expression and rigorous defense of your views is in order. This includes addressing possible counterarguments that could be made by the authors we've discussed, or other criticisms you might anticipate. As always, the best answers are well written discussions that exhibit a thorough grasp of the issues and include interesting, original or insightful contributions and/or intellectual engagement.
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