Philosophy of Science
A.Y. 2020/2021
Learning objectives
The course aims to provide a systematic introduction to the philosophy of psychology - to its main questions and to the tools by which such questions can be successfully addressed.
Key learning objectives include:
- a good understanding of the interface problem (i.e.: what is the relation between 'mind sciences' and 'brain sciences'?);
- a good understanding of the mind-body problem (i.e. what is the relation between the mind and the brain?);
- a good understanding of the problem of cognitive architecture (i.e.: how does the mind work? How are different mental states related to one another, and to external stimuli, so as to produce behaviour?);
- a good understanding of the empirically informed methodology by which philosophers can address the three problems just mentioned (i.e. of how conceptual analysis and empirical findings can be fruitfully integrated in the study of human cognition).
Key learning objectives include:
- a good understanding of the interface problem (i.e.: what is the relation between 'mind sciences' and 'brain sciences'?);
- a good understanding of the mind-body problem (i.e. what is the relation between the mind and the brain?);
- a good understanding of the problem of cognitive architecture (i.e.: how does the mind work? How are different mental states related to one another, and to external stimuli, so as to produce behaviour?);
- a good understanding of the empirically informed methodology by which philosophers can address the three problems just mentioned (i.e. of how conceptual analysis and empirical findings can be fruitfully integrated in the study of human cognition).
Expected learning outcomes
By the end of the course, students are expected to acquire a good knowledge and understanding of the key questions in the philosophy of psychology, as well as a capacity to critically engage with such questions. This will allow students to see how philosophers and cognitive scientists can fruitfully interact in advancing the study of the human mind and cognition.
More specifically, this will involve a good knowledge and understanding of the following key topics:
- The mind-body problem;
- Dualist, physicalist, functionalist, and eliminativist solutions to the mind-body problem;
- Folk-psychology, scientific psychology, and the interface problem;
- The problem of cognitive architecture: beliefs, desires, and other causally relevant mental states.
More specifically, this will involve a good knowledge and understanding of the following key topics:
- The mind-body problem;
- Dualist, physicalist, functionalist, and eliminativist solutions to the mind-body problem;
- Folk-psychology, scientific psychology, and the interface problem;
- The problem of cognitive architecture: beliefs, desires, and other causally relevant mental states.
Lesson period: First semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Didactic Activity will be offered by Microsoft Teams. All classes can be followed both synchronously based (based on the second semester schedule) and asynchronously because all Lecture will be recorded and let available to students on the same platform.
In any case, the synchronous mode is preferable and strongly recommended as it allows the active participation of students through the formulation of questions and the discussion of the topics covered.
If National Regulation and University of Milan regulations, concerning social distancing, allow it, 50% of the Lessons will be held in person and simultaneously transmitted online.
Participation in face-to-face lessons will be voluntary and strongly recommended.
In any case, the synchronous mode is preferable and strongly recommended as it allows the active participation of students through the formulation of questions and the discussion of the topics covered.
If National Regulation and University of Milan regulations, concerning social distancing, allow it, 50% of the Lessons will be held in person and simultaneously transmitted online.
Participation in face-to-face lessons will be voluntary and strongly recommended.
Course syllabus
Introduction
Philosophy of science and the sciences of the mind: scope and aims of the philosophy of psychology.
Part I - The nature of the mind
The mind-body problem and the interface problem;
Dualism vs. physicalism;
Functionalism and the Representational Theory of Mind.
Part II - The workings of the mind
Folk-psychology and scientific psychology;
The 'basic cognitive architecture' and the belief-desire explanatory framework;
Pretence and the cognitive architecture of imagination;
New entries in the cognitive architecture: belief-behaviour mismatches and the case for 'aliefs'.
Philosophy of science and the sciences of the mind: scope and aims of the philosophy of psychology.
Part I - The nature of the mind
The mind-body problem and the interface problem;
Dualism vs. physicalism;
Functionalism and the Representational Theory of Mind.
Part II - The workings of the mind
Folk-psychology and scientific psychology;
The 'basic cognitive architecture' and the belief-desire explanatory framework;
Pretence and the cognitive architecture of imagination;
New entries in the cognitive architecture: belief-behaviour mismatches and the case for 'aliefs'.
Prerequisites for admission
No preliminary knowledge is required
Teaching methods
The course consists of 20 two-hours lectures. The videorecording of each lecture as well as the lectures' slides will be available on the course website on Ariel. Students are expected to actively engage in the lectures, which will be as interactive as possible - including group work and plenty of opportunities for discussion.
Lectures will take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 14.30 to 16.30, starting from Tuesday 6th October till Thursday 10th December.
Please see below for more details on the emergency teaching measures due to the current pandemic situation.
Lectures will take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 14.30 to 16.30, starting from Tuesday 6th October till Thursday 10th December.
Please see below for more details on the emergency teaching measures due to the current pandemic situation.
Teaching Resources
Here below are some key readings for the course. For the full bibliography with a list of required exam readings, please see the course website on Ariel.
- Peter Mandik (2013), This is philosophy of mind: An introduction, Wiley & Sons. Eds (Chapters 1-8).
- Ian Ravenscroft (2005), Philosophy of Mind. A Beginner's Guide, Oxford University Press (Introduction and Part I, "What Are Mental States?" (Chapters 1-5).
- Paul M. Churchland (1981), "Eliminative Materialism and the Propositional Attitudes," Journal of Philosophy, 78: 67-90.
- Shaun Nichols and Stephen Stich (2000), "A Cognitive Theory of Pretense", Cognition, 74: 115-147.
- Tamar Gendler (2008), "Alief and belief", The Journal of Philosophy, 105: 643-663.
- Ema Sullivan-Bissett (2018), "Biased by Our Imaginings", Mind & Language: 1-21.
- Bence Nanay (Forthcoming), "Implicit Bias as Mental Imagery", Journal of the American Philosophical Association.
- Peter Mandik (2013), This is philosophy of mind: An introduction, Wiley & Sons. Eds (Chapters 1-8).
- Ian Ravenscroft (2005), Philosophy of Mind. A Beginner's Guide, Oxford University Press (Introduction and Part I, "What Are Mental States?" (Chapters 1-5).
- Paul M. Churchland (1981), "Eliminative Materialism and the Propositional Attitudes," Journal of Philosophy, 78: 67-90.
- Shaun Nichols and Stephen Stich (2000), "A Cognitive Theory of Pretense", Cognition, 74: 115-147.
- Tamar Gendler (2008), "Alief and belief", The Journal of Philosophy, 105: 643-663.
- Ema Sullivan-Bissett (2018), "Biased by Our Imaginings", Mind & Language: 1-21.
- Bence Nanay (Forthcoming), "Implicit Bias as Mental Imagery", Journal of the American Philosophical Association.
Assessment methods and Criteria
Assessment for this course includes both a written part and of an oral part - each worth 50% of the final mark (which will be expressed on the standard 1-30 scale used by our University, where 18/30 is the minimum mark required to pass the exam).
The written part of the assessment consists of a short essay (3000 words max) on a topic discussed in one of the two modules of the course (the list of suitable essay topics will be available on the course website on Ariel). The essays must be sent via email to both professors at least 7 days before the exam day (this is a necessary condition in order to access the oral part).
The oral part of the assessment will start from a discussion of the essay (which will include feedback on it from the professors), and then move to a general discussion of the other exam topics (see the list of required readings in the final exam program).
Detailed guidance on essay-writing is available on the course website on Ariel. For further guidance, please do get in touch with the professors well in advance of the exam.
The written part of the assessment consists of a short essay (3000 words max) on a topic discussed in one of the two modules of the course (the list of suitable essay topics will be available on the course website on Ariel). The essays must be sent via email to both professors at least 7 days before the exam day (this is a necessary condition in order to access the oral part).
The oral part of the assessment will start from a discussion of the essay (which will include feedback on it from the professors), and then move to a general discussion of the other exam topics (see the list of required readings in the final exam program).
Detailed guidance on essay-writing is available on the course website on Ariel. For further guidance, please do get in touch with the professors well in advance of the exam.
M-FIL/02 - LOGIC AND PHILOSOPHY OF SCIENCE - University credits: 6
Lessons: 40 hours
Professors:
Ichino Anna, Young Nicholas Ian
Professor(s)