The Philosophy of Mind

This subject is not offered in 2014.

An average of 8.5 hours each week.

None

None

One of the following subjects is recommended but not required:

None

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry.The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

This subject will cover central issues in the philosophy of mind, such as the relationship between minds and brains (e.g., dualism, behaviourism, physicalism, functionalism and eliminativism), the nature of mental states such as beliefs, desires and sensations, how mental states represent features of the world, and the relationship between the first-person perspective on oneself and the third-person scientific perspective on the mind.

Students who successfully complete this subject will:

• develop an understanding of important accounts of the mind
• critically reflect on the strengths and weaknesses of different accounts of the mind
• connect issues in the philosophy of mind with important concerns in philosophy, psychology and other fields

A written assignment of 2000 words 50% (due mid-semester), a 2,000 word take home exam (50%) due during the end of semester examination period.

This subject has a minimum hurdle requirement of 75% tutorial attendance. Regular participation in tutorials is required. Assessment submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised at 10% per day. After 5 working days late assessment will not be marked. In-class tasks missed without approval will not be marked. All pieces of written work must be submitted to pass this subject.

Readings will be available online

This subject potentially can be taken as a breadth subject component for the following courses:

• Bachelor of Biomedicine
• Bachelor of Commerce
• Bachelor of Environments
• Bachelor of Music
• Bachelor of Science
• Bachelor of Engineering

You should visit learn more about breadth subjects and read the breadth requirements for your degree, and should discuss your choice with your student adviser, before deciding on your subjects.

Students who successfully complete this subject will develop:

• Critical, creative thinking.
• Persuasive and balanced assessment.
• Reading with attention to detail.
• Analysis and clarification of unclear concepts.
• Simplicity and precision in written and oral presentations.
• Rigorous reasoning about fundamental issues.