production
Skip to Content

Log In

  1. University Home
  2. Catalogue of Courses
  3. Undergraduate
  4. 2015-2016
  5. Philosophy
  6. PH201B: WHAT WE ARE: MIND IN A PHYSICAL WORLD

PH201B: WHAT WE ARE: MIND IN A PHYSICAL WORLD (2015-2016)

Last modified: 25 Mar 2016 11:34


Course Overview

Watch the course video! In this course we will explore a series of arguments which suggest that it is hard to fit the mind into the physical world. In particular, we will focus on three topics: the Mind/Body Problem, Free Will and Determinism, and Personal Identity. Each topic starts with an argument which suggests that we are not merely physical entities like brains, the central nervous system or other biological entities. Taken together, these arguments offer a serious challenge to the view that we can explain human cognition in terms of the physical characteristics of human brains and bodies.

Course Details

Study Type Undergraduate Level 2
Term First Term Credit Points 15 credits (7.5 ECTS credits)
Campus None. Sustained Study No
Co-ordinators
  • Dr Gerard Hough
  • Dr Stephan Torre

Qualification Prerequisites

None.

What courses & programmes must have been taken before this course?

  • Any Undergraduate Programme (Studied)
  • Programme Level 2

What other courses must be taken with this course?

None.

What courses cannot be taken with this course?

Are there a limited number of places available?

No

Course Description

In this course we will explore a series of arguments drawn from the Philosophy of Mind and Metaphysics which suggest that it is hard to fit the mind into the physical world. In particular, we will focus on three topics: the Mind/Body Problem, Free Will and Determinism, and Personal Identity. Each topic starts with an argument which suggests that minds, free agents, and persons are not identical or reducible to physical entities like brains, the central nervous system or other biological entities. Taken together, these arguments offer a serious challenge to the view that we can explain human cognition in terms of the physical characteristics of human brains and bodies. In this course you will have an opportunity to study the arguments in detail and consider for yourselves how deep a challenge this is to the scientific study of cognition and reason.

Contact Teaching Time

Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.

Teaching Breakdown

More Information about Week Numbers


Details, including assessments, may be subject to change until 30 August 2024 for 1st term courses and 20 December 2024 for 2nd term courses.

Summative Assessments

1st Attempt: One 2,500-word essay (50%) plus one 2-hour written examination (50%).

Resit: 2,500-word essay.

Formative Assessment

There are no assessments for this course.

Feedback

None.

Course Learning Outcomes

None.
 

Compatibility Mode

We have detected that you are have compatibility mode enabled or are using an old version of Internet Explorer. You either need to switch off compatibility mode for this site or upgrade your browser.