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    Overview

    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 introduces students to some of the most important concepts, problems, and theories that have shaped philosophy over the last century.  Specifically, this paper introduces students to the main issues in the philosophy of language and mind that have been much in vogue since the early 20th Century.

    About this paper

    Paper title Philosophy of Mind and Language
    Subject Philosophy
    EFTS 0.15
    Points 18 points
    Teaching period Semester 1 (On campus)
    Domestic Tuition Fees ( NZD ) $1,040.70
    International Tuition Fees Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website.
    Prerequisite
    One PHIL paper or 72 points
    Restriction
    PHIL 224, PHIL 302, PHIL 306, PHIL 324 and PHIL 333
    Schedule C
    Arts and Music
    Contact

    philosophy@otago.ac.nz

    Teaching staff

    Associate Professor Andrew Moore and Professor Stuart Brock

    Paper Structure

    PHIL 233 comprises a combination of lectures and seminars. Topics covered may include:

    Mind

    • Physicalism and its rivals
    • Perception and thought
    • Intentionality and consciousness
    • Mental causation
    • Other minds
    • Self-knowledge
    • The mind-body problem
    • Theories of the mind (including dualism, materialism, functionalism and eliminativism)
    • Whether the human mind can be regarded as a kind of computer
    • Theories of mental representation
    • Physicalism and consciousness

     

    Language

    • Meaning, connotation and reference
    • Analyticity
    • Singular terms: definite descriptions, proper names and indexicals
    • Natural kinds
    • Indeterminacy of translation and meaning
    • Pragmatics and speech acts
    • Expressive Language
    • Metaphors and figurative language
    Teaching Arrangements

    Two classes per week: one 2-hour lecture and one 1-hour lecture.

    The classes mix more formal lecture components with less formal seminar components.

    Textbooks

    Tim Bayne, Philosophy of Mind: An Introduction (Routledge 2021)
    https://www.routledge.com/Philosophy-of-Mind-An-Introduction/Bayne.

    Tim Crane, The Mechanical Mind: A Philosophical Introduction to Minds, Machines and Mental Representation (3rd Edition Routledge 2016).

    Saul Kripke, Naming and Necessity: 50th Anniversary Edition, Wiley Blackwell (24 December 2024).

    Saul Kripke, Reference and Existence: The John Locke Lectures, Oxford University Press (2013).

    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, and skilled appraisal, of the main physicalist accounts of the mind, shown in a research essay or exam answer
    • Understanding of, and skilled response to, key issues concerning consciousness or intentionality, shown in a research essay or exam answer
    • Understanding of, and skilled response to, key issues concerning perception, thought, mental causation, other minds, and self-knowledge, shown in a research essay or exam answer

    The goals for the second half of the paper are:

    • Understanding of, and skilled response to, some of the central developments in the philosophy of language (including theories of reference, meaning and pragmatics) shown in a research essay or exam answer
    • Engagement with PHIL 233, demonstrated in written work through engagement with lecture handouts
    Assessment details

    Internal Assessments

    • Short Tests = 20%
    • Long Test 1 = 40%
    • Long Test 2 = 40%

    Timetable

    Semester 1

    Location
    Dunedin
    Teaching method
    This paper is taught On Campus
    Learning management system
    Blackboard

    Lecture

    Stream Days Times Weeks
    Attend
    A1 Monday 13:00-14:50 9-16, 18-22
    AND
    B1 Thursday 09:00-09:50 9-16, 18-21
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