Philosophy of Mind

Course Description:
This course is intended to acquaint students with different philosophical positions, debates, and contributions with respect to the study of the mind.   We will also examine such specific questions as: How, and to what extent, does understanding the brain help us to understand the mind?; How, and to what extent, is the mind comparable to a computer?; What is the relation between my mind and my self?; What sorts of non-human beings have minds?; How can understanding the philosophy of mind help me in everyday life?, and others.  We will begin with some interesting cases of mental and neurological aberration, as described by V.S. Ramachandran in order to help motivate some of the questions above.  We then move to a more philosophically focused treatment of these questions, drawing primarily from the text by George Graham, and to a lesser extent, from handouts and online sources. 

Pre-requisites: PHI 2010 (Introduction to Philosophy), or PSY 2012 (Introduction to Psychology). 
These pre-requisites will be strictly observed. If you do not meet them, drop this course immediately. Students who have taken a more advanced philosophy course at UCF, but who have not taken PHI 2010, may, at my discretion, be given permission to take the course. This course is intended for upper-level students; no freshman students will be permitted to take the class, whether or not they have met the pre-requisites. If there is any question about whether or not you meet the requirements, see me by the end of the first week of class. 

Texts:
 - Graham, George. (1998) Philosophy of Mind : An Introduction (2nd ed.). Oxford: Basil Blackwell.
 - Ramachandran, V.S. (1999) Phantoms in the Brain. London: Fourth Estate.
 - Other handouts and online sources will also be provided, TBA.  Students should check the class website periodically, for electronic readings and other announcements.

Requirements:
Students are required to carefully read and prepare the assigned text and attend class regularly.  Students are also encouraged to participate meaningfully in class discussions.  Discussion and debate are encouraged, but disruptive behavior will not be tolerated, and may result in a lower grade or outright dismissal from the course.  Excessive absence and/or lateness may also result in a lower grade.  Students who miss a quiz or exam will not automatically be granted a makeup; these will be granted at the discretion of the instructor, and only under exceptional circumstances. If a student wishes to request a makeup, the student must provide documentation of a legitimate excuse for the absence, and must contact the professor to discuss the possibility of a makeup within 3 days of the missed quiz or exam. Unexcused absence from a quiz or exam will result in a score of zero for that quiz or exam.   If you know ahead of time that you will have to miss a quiz or exam, see me as soon as possible before the exam, and if feasible, I will arrange for you to take it early.

Class Decorum:
How you handle yourself reflects upon who you are, so behave in a way that shows respect for yourself and for those around you. Please turn off your cell phone before you come to class. You are expected to arrive on time and stay for the duration of the class. Coming late, stepping out, and leaving early are generally discourteous and can be disruptive. It is understood that urgent situations may arise which make these things necessary and excusable. In all other cases, this behavior should be avoided. If such behavior becomes excessive, it will be considered disruptive to the class and represent grounds for lowering your grade and/or taking disciplinary action. If you know that you will need to leave early, please tell me before class that you will need to do so. 

Grades: I will use the plus/minus grading convention (A, A-, B+, B, B-, C+, C, C-, D+, D, D-, F)
 - 3 Quizzes (20% each, drop lowest quiz):  40%
 - Midterm Exam:  30%
 - Final Exam or term paper on choice of assigned topics: 30%
Note: Students who wish to take the term paper option must have prior approval from the instructor in order to do so. Papers turned in without prior approval will not be given credit. See handout, and I will say more about this in class.

Course Schedule through Spring Break. Readings are to be completed before the class period for which they are scheduled. Schedule may vary slightly, depending on class interest and progress. Any changes will be announced in class.

Tu 1-7: Introduction to class, student questionnaire.
Th 1-9: Ramachandran: Foreword, Preface, Ch. 1 "The Phantom Within".

Tu 1-14: Ramachandran: Ch. 2 "Knowing where to Scratch", handouts on brain maps.
Th 1-16: Ramachandran: Ch. 3 "Chasing the Phantom"

Tu 1-21: Discussion of Ramachandran Chs. 1-3,
Th 1-23: Begin Graham, Ch. 1, "What is Philosophy of Mind?", and handout on phil. of mind.

Tu 1-28: Graham, Ch. 1, emphasis on The Knowledge Agument: guest lecturer, prof. Don Jones
Th 1-30: Finish Graham, Ch. 1, "What is Philosophy of Mind?"

Tu 2-4: Quiz 1 (cumulative, from beginning)
Th 2-6: Graham, Ch. 8, "Does Mind Depend Upon Brain?"

Tu 2-11: Graham, Ch. 8, "Does Mind Depend Upon Brain?"
Th 2-13: Ramachandran, Ch. 11, "You Forgot to Deliver the Twin".

Tu 2-18: Finish remaining material, Review for Midterm.
Th 2-20: Midterm Exam (cumulative, from beginning)

Tu 2-25: Graham, Ch. 9, "Inside Persons" Guest Lecture: Dr. Stanlick
Th 2-27: Graham, Ch. 9, "Inside Persons". Note: Withdrawal deadline is Feb. 28.

Tu 3-4: Vision; handout/website on visual system
Th 3-6:  Ramachandran, Ch. 4, "The Zombie in the Brain"

Tu 3-11: Ramachandran, Ch. 5, "The Secret Life of James Thurber".
Th 3-13:Quiz 2 (non-cumulative, only over material since midterm)

March17 - 23: Spring Break

Tu 3-25: Graham, Ch. 3, "The Problem of Other Minds"
Th 3-27: Graham, Ch. 3, "The Problem of Other Minds"

Tu April 1: Graham, Ch. 4, "Mind and Belief in Animals"
Th 4-3: Graham, Ch. 4, "Mind and Belief in Animals"

Tu 4-8: Graham, Ch. 5, "Mind and Belief in Computers"  (except skip section 5.5)
Th 4-10: Finish Graham, Ch. 5 (skipping section 5.5).  If enough time remains, we will address Ramachandran's concluding chapter, Ch. 12,  "Do Martians See Red?"

Tu 4-15: Quiz 3 (non-cumulative, only over material since Quiz 2)
Th 4-17: Last day of class, review for final exam

Th 4-24: (Exam Day 3), Final Exam (cumulative, from beginning) in regular classroom, 1-3:50 p.m.