2024/25 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

PHIL1005 The Mind

10 creditsClass Size: 205

Module manager: Lea Salje
Email: L.C.Salje@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2024/25

This module is approved as a discovery module

Module summary

Could an android think? How could we know that other people experience the world in the same way as we do? Can our minds survive bodily death?If you have ever asked these questions, then The Mind is the module you need. The module will cover the foundational issues in the philosophy of mind, raising questions and addressing puzzles that have troubled thinkers since ancient times. A particular focus will be on the "Mind-Body" problem: the task of explaining the relationship between beliefs and desires, experiences, and emotions on the one hand; and physical states of the brain and movements of the body on the other. In modern times there has been intense interest in the scientific study of the mind and brain by psychologists and neuroscientists. Can this work answer our longstanding philosophical questions about the relation between mind and body? Or do the ancient puzzles still persist?The module is taught with lectures, tutorials and proctorials throughout semester 2. You do not need previous background in philosophy to take this course. For further information see Department of Philosophy.

Objectives

On completion of this module, students should have a basic ability to:
- understand some of the main concepts, principles and positions in the philosophy of mind
- assess critically various philosophical asnwers to the "mind-body problem"
- practise the general philosophical skills of critical analysis and argument.

Syllabus

Topics to be treated will typically include:

- What is the relation of the mind to the body?
- Can computers really think?
- Can nonhuman animals think?
- What is a person's self?
- What is consciousness?
- Were all your thoughts and actions physically determined before you were born?
- How should we interpret spiritual states of consciousness?

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Lecture	11	1.00	11.00
Tutorial	5	1.00	5.00
Private study hours			84.00
Total Contact hours			16.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			100.00

Private study

- Lecture preparation (20 hours)
- Tutorial preparation (24 hours)
- Writing essay (40 hours)

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Students will have the opportunity to submit a 500 word essay plan for feedback.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Essay	1500 word essay (end of module)	100.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		100.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 29/04/2024 16:19:42

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