PPR451: Philosophy of Mind and Psychology

Objectives

This module will introduce students to a number of different methodologies that can be used in the philosophy of mind and psychology. Each methodology will be discussed through a consideration of an illustrative example. Thus we will also examine in detail a number of debates in the philosophy of mind and psychology.

1. Empirically-orientated approaches in the philosophy of mind When is empirical evidence relevant to philosophical claims, and how can it be used? In 2011-12 this philosophical approach will be illustrated via consideration of the debate over whether folk psychology depends on theory or simulation.
2. Conceptual Issues in Psychology How might philosophy be used to clarify conceptual issues? In 2011-12 these issues will be illustrated via consideration of debates over computational accounts of the mind - what does it mean to say that the mind is like a computer?
3. Ordinary Language Philosophy & Conceptual Analysis What can we learn by analysing language or conceptual analysis? What are the limitations of such methods? In 2011-12 this approach will be explored via a consideration Gilbert Ryle's classic work - The Concept of Mind (1949).
4. Thought Experiments What is a thought experiment? What are their uses and limitations? The use of thought experiments will be illustrated via a consideration of a classic example, such as philosophical zombies and the challenge to physicalism.

Select Bibliography

Austin, J.L. (1962) Sense and Sensibilia.

Carruthers, P. and P. Smith (eds.) (1996) Theories of Theories of Mind. Especially papers in Part 1.

Chalmers, D. (1996) The Conscious Mind

Clark, A. (1998) Being There.

Davies, M and T. Stone (eds) Mental Simulation.

Davies, M and T. Stone (eds.) (1995) Folk psychology. Especially papers by Heal, Stichs and Nichols.

Dennett, D. (1994) Consciousness Explained.

Fodor, J. (2000) The mind doesn't work that way.

Goldberg, S. (1996) The Twin Earth Chronicles.

Jackson, F. (1998) From Metaphysics to Ethics: A Defence of Conceptual Analysis

Jackson, F. , P. Ludlow et al (2004) There's something about Mary.

Kirk, R (2005) Zombies and Consciousness

Ryle, G. (1949) The Concept of Mind.

Sorensen, R. (1998) Thought Experiments

Wilkes, K (1988) Real People: Personal Identity without Thought Experiments.

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