The foundation and development of modern philosophy of mind and language in the second half of the twentieth century, and the radical effects these developments have had on modern analytic philosophy.
This paper is in two halves. The Mind half looks at solutions to the mind-body problem, ranging from theories that see the mind as something immaterial, to theories that attempt to account for the mental within a physicalist view of the world. We also look at artificial intelligence, and various features of our mental lives, such as the nature of perception and mental imagery, and our belief that we have free will. The Language half of the paper looks at a number of themes concerning linguistic meaning and mental content, including classic works by W.V.O. Quine, H.P. Grice, and Saul Kripke.
| Paper title | Philosophy of Mind and Language |
|---|---|
| Paper code | PHIL233 |
| Subject | Philosophy |
| EFTS | 0.1500 |
| Points | 18 points |
| Teaching period | First Semester |
| Domestic Tuition Fees (NZD) | $904.05 |
| International Tuition Fees (NZD) | $3,954.75 |
- Prerequisite
- One PHIL paper or 72 points
- Restriction
- PHIL 224, 302, 306, 324, 333
- Schedule C
- Arts and Music
- Contact
- More information link
- Teaching staff
Lecturers: Professor Alex Miller, and Dr Heather Dyke
- Paper Structure
- The first half of the paper covers key questions, concepts and theories in the philosophy
of mind, including:
- Dualism
- Materialism
- Functionalism
- Intentionality
- The nature of consciousness and qualia
- W.V.O. Quine's famous arguments concerning the indeterminacy of translation
- H. P. Grice's attempt to account for the notion of linguistic meaning via the notion of speakers' communicative intentions
- Saul Kripke's exploration (in his Naming and Necessity) of connections between the philosophy of language and mind and issues in metaphysics concerning necessity and contingency
- Teaching Arrangements
- Two 2-hour classes per week
The classes mix more formal lecture components with less formal seminar components. - Textbooks
Peter Mandik, This is Philosophy of Mind: An introduction (Wiley-Blackwell 2014)
Alexander Miller, Philosophy of Language (3rd edition 2018)- Graduate Attributes Emphasised
- Scholarship, Communication, Critical thinking, Ethics, Research, Self-motivation.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes. - Learning Outcomes
- The goals for the first half of the paper are
- Understanding of, and skilled response to, the main arguments for and against standard versions of dualism, materialism and functionalism, to be demonstrated in a research essay or exam answers
- Understanding of, and skilled response to, other topics, including intentionality, consciousness and qualia, to be demonstrated in a research essay or exam answers
- Engagement with PHIL 233/333, demonstrated in written work through engagement with lecture handouts
- Understanding of, and skilled response to, Quine's argument from below for indeterminacy of translation, to be determined in a research essay
- Understanding of, and skilled response to, other topics (including Quine's argument from above, Grice's account of meaning and alternatives, Kripke on Naming and Necessity), to be shown in exam answers
- Engagement with PHIL 233/333, demonstrated in written work through engagement with lecture handouts
